Our vision is to transform how agencies procure and manage onboard and off-board systems by offering a vast network of vendors who agree to leverage data standards and open APIs in their products. This in turn ensures that transit agencies can benefit from the flexibility to choose whatever vendor they want without being locked into a long term contract with limited flexibility.
Open APIs are critical to ensure interoperability between different vendor solutions. This enables transit agencies to select the best technologies and tools for their operation, which ultimately benefits the riders and communities they serve.
Many agencies suffer from having one large, complex CAD/AVL system where all onboard hardware is part of one system. If one element breaks, other systems are often impacted as well. However, by breaking up the system into modular components that all communicate through data standards, it’s easy to replace one component without impacting others (i.e standalone APC RFP). And, because the system follows open data standards, if one vendor doesn’t perform well, it’s easy to swap them out with another vendor of your choice.
Part of the Open Transit Initiative is to shift towards cloud-based transportation management software which can be deployed in weeks to give you the tools you need to run your transit network. This provides much more flexibility to replace your onboard hardware as needed over time.
No longer wait for much needed-updates that require time-consuming and expensive physical implementation. Software-based systems can easily be updated over the air and through cellular networks whenever new updates are available. It’s a seamless, behind-the-scenes process that will never be a pain to manage again.
It’s your data, and you should be able to access it. The Open Transit Initiative calls for open data access for all transit agencies so that you are never charged or prevented from accessing your own data. You can access your data in the open formats that you need, when you need.
As we look back on the year so far, we see that effective COVID response has been about agility, adaptability, and accessibility. Unfortunately, public transit struggled on all three accounts. Public transit was in an at-risk group, and much like the virus itself, the pandemic has only devastated those with underlying health conditions.
When the pandemic finally recedes, these issues will not disappear. Transit agencies can only anticipate more obstacles that require adaptability and innovation, especially as people return to work with new transportation habits, and as familiar battles for riders resurface.
21st century problems require 21st century solutions. Open transit architecture is a necessary step forward to ensure transit won’t be caught flat-footed the same way again.
COVID-19 has placed increased pressure on transit agencies to improve reliability, reduce overcrowding, and ultimately improve cost efficiency. Many agencies are suffering as legacy systems struggle to adapt to these urgent needs.
Together we can make this happen. Are you onboard?
