act 2014 empowering travellers with online transport information gamification and outreach tools

Empowering travellers with online

transport information,

gamification and outreach tools

ACT International Conference 2014

08/04/2014

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This presentation will…

• Highlight how user-focused, full service transport information, outreach and

gamification websites can:

• Connect with transit users and give them what they need

• Use ‘real time’ information

• Integrated with entities like Google and Microsoft

• Use GTFS (Google) data to create interactive maps, schedules and simple trip planners

• Incentivise alternative mode usage

Presentation dateACT International Conference 2014 3

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Smart mobility and the role of technology

• People are increasingly using GPS equipped smart devices to access

context specific transportation questions

• They are looking for ‘here and now’ information

• They are also searching for ‘non-traditional’ shared transportation

options

• Uber

• Hailo

• Sidecar

• Ridescout

• Etc


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• A transportation agency will have its own goals to serve the needs of

the public:

• How do I provide trusted transportation information, and incentivise people

to shift modes?

• Can I do this using in-house skills?

• What about data? Where does that come from? Who owns it?

• How can I embrace new modes?


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• These questions can largely be answered, either via a website or a

mobile app.

• Different third parties offering different services – Google etc

• The best examples allow for information ‘on the go’ – free apps

• They may not cover all the gaps – how do I make it localised ?

• But what if you have your own data, and want to create your own

branded information systems and websites?


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OKC Metro – what we knew

• Focused on improving their offer, attracting new users and their profile

in OKC

• Had invested in a new scheduling software system

• Had purchased a new real time information system, with plans to make

all vehicles trackable by GPS

• Wanted us to hook into the new data sets that the system would be

producing

• We had to keep it simple and not overwhelm


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The end users – what we knew

• The existing website was heavily used by smartphone users

• Predominately Android

• Potentially with low GB data plans

• The existing website was not smartphone friendly and PDF map

downloads were required

• People were predominately looking for schedule information

• Website had around 18,000 visits a week


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Open data was the key

• Following TriMet’s lead we:

• Worked with OKC Metro to get their schedule data into GTFS format

• Provided assistance on getting data into Google Maps/Bing Maps

• Consulted with TriMet on the use of TimeTablePublisher

• Assured that OKC Metro could process all their data in-house and publish

online and in print

• Created ‘one version of the truth’ and made it available for the website, print

materials and other developers


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How the project rolled out

• Initial workshop in OKC to communicate project goals and gather input

from key stakeholders

• Information gathering, including site visits to call centres

• Design stage

• Data work

• Work with real time vendor

• Google/GTFS

• TimeTablePublisher

• Online/Print


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“The launch of these travel

tools will not only create a

more confident rider, but will

make the system easier to use

and accessible.”

Michael Scroggins, EMBARK


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Gamification – the incentive

• Got a new transit line or network enhancement?

• Gamification can be used to encourage people to try an alternative

mode

• http://www.kingcounty.gov/inmotion


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Take-aways

• Take a look at your transit agency or outreach website – see if it offers

mobile friendly tools

• Ask whether schedule data has been provided to Google Maps or Bing

Maps

• If it needs refreshing or updating – remember change management

• Use passenger information as part of your TDM approach – people will

use it

• Understand whether gamification could spur non-users to give it a go

• Follow EMBARK’s lead – don’t just launch a fancy new website,

integrate it with other meaningful changes or marketing efforts


DISCLAIMER: This work may only be used within the context and scope of work

for which Steer Davies Gleave was commissioned and may not be relied upon in

part or whole by any third party or be used for any other purpose. Any person

choosing to use any part of this work without the express and written

permission of Steer Davies Gleave shall be deemed to confirm their agreement

to indemnify Steer Davies Gleave for all loss or damage resulting therefrom.

[email protected]

act 2014 empowering travellers with online transport information gamification and outreach tools

Presentations & Public Speaking

schedule data

schedule information

open data

new data sets

new users

online transport information

service transport information

use real time information