Some university techies implemented an ingenious add-on for Seattle's
Bus Metro here (called "One Bus Away") that allows you to place a call
or SMS text to a totally automated system, where you indicate the bus
stop # by voice or SMS and it reports back by voice or text when and
which buses will arrive next (by hooking into the Bus Systems GPS bus
reporting system).
They also have an interactive webpage that does the same thing which you
can set and bookmark for the bus stop nearest you.
http://onebusaway.org/where/standard/index.html
All three aspects basically remove the unknowing and sometimes endless
wait and planning indecision that historically you take on when you ride
buses. At all times, you can easily and instantly find out the schedule
and if there are any delays.
To me it's an INCREDIBLY useful technical improvement for riders and
probably reasonably inexpensive. Not sure who funds it since, it isn't
a Seattle Metro Service...
Hopefully it isn't a temporary grant situation.
db
Rev. Stewart Marshall wrote:
It depends.
In many foreign countries public transportation is the backbone of
getting from one place to the next.
I know in Europe it is frequently used and well respected.
The problem here is that it is not always well thought out, tends to
be restricted time wise, and is not available in many areas it could
have a big use for.
I will be visiting Portland shortly and I know they have a wonderful
system.
St. Louis has a nice one also plus a few other areas I know. Some of
these are the better implementations I have seen.
Where I live there is not such animal. But it would come in very handy.
Stewart
At 05:01 PM 5/27/2009, you wrote:
Nice gadget ... too bad that in times of increased ridership because
of gas prices/ economy and funding issues, most city bus systems are
facing budget shortfalls and service cutbacks...
Expensive gee wiz bus tech gadgets ... will that help or make the $
problem worse?
Honest question ... not sarcasm...
db
b_s-wilk wrote:
GreaterGreaterWashington.com sez:
Bus stop 2020: A team at MIT has designed a bus stop of the future.
"Riders can plan a bus trip on an interactive map, surf the Web,
monitor their real-time exposure to pollutants and use their mobile
devices as an interface with the bus shelter. They can also post ads
and community announcements to an electronic bulletin board at the
bus stop, enhancing the EyeStop's functionality as a community
gathering space." Called the EyeStop...
http://www.boingboing.net/2009/05/21/mits-futuristic-netw.html
http://senseable.mit.edu/eyestop/
Does it also have an espresso machine? Port-o-pot? Teflon-coated
glass/plastic shell? Free WiFi? Heated/cooled enclosure: I'd like that.
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Rev. Stewart A. Marshall
mailto:[email protected]
Prince of Peace www.princeofpeaceozark.org
Ozark, AL SL 82
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