For the seventh round of its search for startups and other tech companies to solve transportation issues, the Transit Tech Lab has opened up the application process for the Ridership Improvement Challenge. The goal is to help the various transit agencies in the New York City metro region analyze ridership and travel demand data, to help grow ridership. The Tech Lab is also looking for technology solutions to aid in improving inspections and maintenance as part of its Inspection and Maintenance Challenge.
Since the Partnership Fund for New York City and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) formed the Transit Tech Lab in 2018, more than 900 companies have applied to participate in the program. Of those, 69 companies have been selected to create technologies, and 37 solutions have gone on to be commercially scaled or “informed commercial procurements,” according to the lab.
“This year we’re focused on harnessing the power of AI and other tech to improve foundational elements of the customer experience like scheduling, communications and system maintenance,” Stacey Matlen, senior vice president of innovation at the Partnership for New York City, said in a statement.
A handful of companies will be selected to develop “proof of concept” projects which could be further fleshed out and scaled. Applications for the two challenges are open and proposals can be submitted until Feb. 27, at transitinnovation.org.
Companies applying for the ridership challenge may want to propose solutions to measure passenger loads on subways, buses and other transit vehicles, according to the Transit Tech Lab’s announcement. They may also want to develop tools to better inform riders and internal staff about service disruptions or crowdedness.
Firms wanting to apply for the maintenance challenge could offer modeling technology for determining the total cost of ownership for vehicles, or to develop environmental assessments and risk impacts, per the announcement. And their proposals are likely to have particular significance for New York City transportation.
“This year’s Transit Tech Lab challenge creates a unique opportunity to leverage innovative technologies that will support the MTA’s continued focus on growing ridership and maintaining reliable and efficient service,” Jessica Mathew, MTA senior adviser for special projects, said in a statement.
Editor's note: This article has been updated to clarify how the Transit Tech Lab was formed.
