Category Archives: Technology

Pending Board approval, real-time information could arrive in early 2011

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San Francisco Muni NextBus real-time information on an iPhone.

San Francisco Muni NextBus real-time information on an iPhone. Photo by Jamison Wieser via Flickr.

Next week a $1.65-million contract with NextBus, Inc. for a real-time bus arrival system goes in front of the Metro board for approval. If approved, Metro riders could be receiving real-time bus arrival information via text, cell phone, smartphone and web by early 2011.

NextBus currently provides its real-time services to over 60 transit agencies including San Francisco Muni and MBTA (Boston). Here’s a link to a run down of how the technology works.

In our Why You Ride survey series, we asked this open-ended question: “If you could make one change to improve your transit experience, what would it be?“

24% of respondents answered with real-time arrival information. Continue reading →

Reminder: tell us what kind of mobile device you use.

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So far, with 157 votes as of 10am, our mobile device survey shows that, at least amongst our readers, there are just about as many Android users as there are iPhone users.

Metro’s initial iPhone offering met with mixed-reviews but it looks like the numbers may reveal that an Android app is something Metro should consider.

Also interesting: about 70% who have participated so far have some sort of smartphone, but a surprising 12% report having a dumbphone with no internet access at all.

Poll: What type of mobile device do you use?

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As Metro beefs up its mobile resources it makes sense to take a look at how transit customers are accessing the mobile web. Metro recently released an iPhone app, and the stats show that the iPhone is the number one mobile device used to access Metro.net – but Android devices bring a significant amount of mobile traffic to the site as well.

Plus, recent data shows that Android devices may be eclipsing the iPhone in smartphone market share. Is an Android app something Metro should be considering?

And we can’t forget the countless people who may not want to pay for the pricey data plans that come bundled with smartphones and choose to hold onto their trusty dumbphones. Those riders don’t have the luxury of fancy apps with GPS features but still need to access important information from the agency while on the go.

Metro’s recently redesigned mobile website should be accessible from virtually any web-enabled phone – smart or dumb – but as the agency moves ahead with its mobile initiatives, and shares its data with third party developers to design their own apps, we thought we’d ask Source readers (who are likely early-adopters of transit technologies) how you access the mobile web.

Go Metro iPhone app comments roundup

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Go Metro iPhone app.

Two weeks ago Metro released Build 1.0 of its Go Metro iPhone app – marking the agency’s first foray into the world of smartphones.

The news that Metro released an app for Apple’s popular mobile platform certainly nabbed some headlines, but the app itself has received less than enthusiastic reviews – to date it has an average score of 2 out of 5 stars on the iTunes store.

Metro is emphasizing the “Build 1.0″ prefix, which essentially means that further builds are on the way that will take into account feedback from customers. In other words, something better is in the works.

What follows are some comments on the app pulled from the iTunes store, local media and our email box. The best way to ensure your feedback reaches the right people is by using this Metro iPhone App Feedback Form on Metro.net. Additionally, you can also share your thoughts with us by leaving a comment – or if you’re old school, send us an email at sourcemetro@gmail.com.

Eric Richardson of Blogdowntown reviews the app and finds that it doesn’t do much to build upon Metro’s “archaic” Trip Planner:

The iPhone version doesn’t do much to improve matters. It selects one trip instead of presenting a list of options, but does so in a manner that is unlikely to make sense for Downtowners. For that trip from Pico and Hill to City Hall, the LAMetro app would have us walk a half mile to Olive and Olympic to catch Foothill Transit’s Silver Streak, paying $2.75 for the seven minute bus ride. A smarter rider would walk just a block to 12th and Hill, catching the DASH D for only $0.35.

The app also misses the chance to allow the user to use his or her current location for the trip’s starting point, and doesn’t offer any saved state information if the rider happens to exit the trip midway. The extensive use of Metro’s website for data also means that a constant Internet connection is required, a downer for those who would wish to use the app in subway tunnels or on an iPod touch.

Jane Lee, a local software developer, sent us an email expressing her disappointment at the quality of the app:

You guys *seriously* have got to be kidding me.

In a city like LA with dozens (at least! these are only the ones I know of!) of talented iPhone developers that have millions of users of successful products between them, you choose a contractor to come up with an app that basically is a useless and limited wrapper for the mobile website and think this is awesome? Just in a city like LA. Nevermind the independent developers and companies outside of the city/county that would have done a better job with one hand tied behind their backs as well.
I’m disappointed. There’s just so much wrong with the app I don’t even know where to begin to offer criticism, and I don’t even work on mobile apps full time. I don’t even know how anyone used the app and thought it was okay to submit. I really think this app should be scrapped and a more competent company found to start from scratch.
Not all feedback was negative though, here’s an email we received from Ryan Tomlin who’s just happy to see Metro embrace the technology:
Thank you, thank you, thank you for the new iPhone App.  I have been waiting years for LA to invest in the Metro system from a technology standpoint.  I believe 1000 times over that as the technology and convenience of the Metro system increases, more and more people will utilize it as their primary means of transportation.  I hope soon that the app will locate busses in real time such that arrivals can be forecasted by patrons to down to the minute.  Less time waiting at stops will yield thousands more riders.  The first generation of the iPhone App is a great step in that direction.  Congratulations and thank you!
Some reviews grabbed from the iTunes store, after the jump.

Free Go Metro iPhone app launches

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Go Metro iPhone app.

The Go Metro app is available on the iTunes store for free. To get it, simply visit this link or search for ‘Go Metro’ in the App Store. The app is by Usablenet, a Metro contractor.

Here’s the description from the app page:

Go Metro to work, shopping, schools or entertainment all over Los Angeles County with our official iPhone app.

Whether you’re a first time rider and would like to find out how to get started or if you travel frequently and need to plan your trip out on the town, use this app to find all of the convenient ways to get there when you Go Metro.

As this is Build 1.0 of our iPhone app, we’d love to get your feedback to make the product better.

Features include:

  • Trip Planner
  • Nearby Lines
  • Basic information including fares, maps and timetables

So if you’re an iPhone user take a look, and please let share your thoughts with us by sending an email to sourcemetro@gmail.com or by leaving a comment on Facebook.

And if you don’t have an iPhone, there’s no app for you yet – but the Metro.net mobile website (http://m.metro.net) has been redesigned, and in my opinion it’s a big improvement over the previous version.

Everyone's talking TAP!

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The Daily News on Sunday ran a story about the gates recently installed at some Metro rail stations and TAP cards and now several media outlets are showing some interest.

The gist of the Daily News’ story was that Metro spent $46 million on the gates and $154 million to date on the gates and TAP card system — but the gates aren’t yet locked. In other words, that’s a lot of money to spend on something that isn’t being used as intended.

As we explained in May in a lengthy post answering reader questions about TAP cards, the gates aren’t yet locked because Metro is still using paper tickets, although plans are to do away with them in the future.

A few other points worth considering:

•The Board of Directors of Metro recently approved a contract to purchase paper TAP cards that will be sold at ticket vending machines and will work with the gates. The paper TAP cards will also be sold by some employers who sell their workers Metro passes. That should help reduce the need for paper tickets.

•At least one ticket machine at each rail station is being reworked to sell the plastic (the more durable) version of TAP cards. It will be a good option for those who don’t want to buy a TAP card by phone or over the internet.

•About $16 million of the cost of the gates was paid for with a 2008 grant from the state transportation bond (known as “1B”) to enhance security at stations. About $70 million of the $154 million was spent on retrofitting buses with TAP equipment. Continue reading →

Metro’s Statement on Sunday's Daily News TAP Article

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Matt Raymond, Metro’s Chief Communications Officer, issued this response to today’s story in the Daily News about TAP cards and the gating system at Metro rail stations:

Chucking Metro’s TAP smart card fare program as some critics suggest is like throwing the baby out with the bath water. TAP is working as evidenced by more than 15 million transactions a month. Customers like it because they can load their cards online, replace their fare value if they lose their cards, it speeds boardings and, eventually, will lead to seamless travel on a multitude of transit carriers in LA County.

Ridership data yielded by TAP is helping Metro better tailor service to meet demand, and the gated rail stations – only a small part of the TAP program – already has enhanced security and reduced fare evasion even if the gates aren’t yet locked. Incidentally, the gate installation was only completed one month ago.

Matt Raymond

Metro Chief Communications Officer

A good review for go511

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It’s hard not to notice the marketing blitz in recent months for go511, the five-county effort in So Cal to finally get a lot of important transportation information on one website and phone number. Go511 has everything from freeway traffic conditions to transit planning tools.

Go511 gets a very positive review on the website for the Los Angeles County Strategic Plan for Economic Development, which obviously has a vested interest in people’s ability to get around. They really like the voice recognition system on the phone which allows drivers to get hands-free road information. Excerpt:

The public transit features are tremendously helpful especially for transit commuters, newbies and veterans alike.  A lot of people don’t take public transportation because the lack of information from how to get from one point to another. Hopefully, 511 will change that by arming commuters with the information they need to avoid traffic hot spots and make their commutes a little more pleasant.

I’ve spent some time doodling with the go511 website  and I think it’s definitely come a long ways since its test launch in late 2009. However, there is no mobile version of the site yet, although go511 officials tell me one is planned but not imminent. In the meantime, the current website has some features that use Flash, the animation software that doesn’t work on iPhones.

We’re interested in your opinions on the g0511 service. Email us at sourcemetro@gmail.com.

I-405 project examines a freeway area that never carries cars

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High-pressure waterline for I-405 drainage system

Working beside the front of a vacuum truck, a worker holds the high-pressure waterline used to blow out debris from the drainage system. The vertical pipe to the right is the vacuum pipe.

Commuters and neighbors can see that the I-405 uses a sophisticated system of lanes, ramps and signage to move hundreds of thousands of vehicles each day. What few see is the comprehensive drainage system beneath the I-405 road surface.

Miles of drains under the I-405 carry runoff from rain falling on cars, trucks, motorcycles and the highway itself. Where that water flows is closely monitored by state and federal environmental agencies, because as the water drains off the highway, it sweeps up oil and other debris from the road surface.

Within the I-405 Sepulveda Pass project boundaries, for example, drains run along the center median of the northbound and southbound lanes. They are also strategically placed along the outside shoulders.

Treating that water and debris properly, before it joins the stormwater system that runs to the ocean, requires that the drains channel the runoff for treatment. To accomplish this, the drains must be clear and undamaged.

Tiny closed circuit television (CCTV) camera photographs the drains and see real-time images of debris

This television monitor shows a valuable but lowly rated program—the state of I-405 drainage. The shapes at the bottom of the monitor are debris.

To check the condition of the drains, workers use a tiny closed circuit television (CCTV) camera to photograph the drains and see real-time images of debris. To reduce their effect on I-405 traffic, the workers inspect the drains at night, so it is common to see a worker staring at a video monitor in the back of a truck long into the wee hours of the morning.

Continue reading →

Go511 website and phone service debuts

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As we reported last year, a regional 511 trip-planning website — along with phone service — has been under development. It’s still not fully baked, but has come far enough along that transit officials in Southern California are officially launching the service this Monday.

The Go511 website is still in its test phase — it’s actually online now — and officials are hoping for feedback from the public; I’m particularly interested in how the trip planner works. A mobile site still needs to be developed.

Attentive readers will recall that Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa recently introduced a motion asking for a true regional trip planner and it will be interesting to see if the new Go511 website fits the bill. There are links to other transit agency websites and there’s also traffic and vanpool information.

By means of comparison, here’s a link to the San Francisco region’s 511 website, which has a good mobile site.

And here’s the press release about So Cal’s 511 service:

Call 511 or Visit Go511.com

Transportation officials from Metro, Orange and Ventura counties joined Caltrans and CHP today in introducing a new automated toll-free phone and Internet service that provides 24/7 on demand updates on traffic, trip planning for public transit or connections with car or vanpools throughout Southern California. Continue reading →