Creating better transit experiences in a privacy-conscious society

The public’s role transit in America has seen dramatic changes since the sailing of America’s first ferry. in 17th-century Boston. This is an integral part of modern life. It provides critical transport from the suburbs and cities to our cultural and urban centers. It is now an integral part of our lives. transit Agency services make it easy to commute better For riders, it adds convenience to their daily lives.

Our message is short: transit The experience has been less important than the destination. But that’s still the number one priority. 

Agents are now investing in this direction. in Cloud computing and the Internet of Things are advanced technologies that allow for progress, expand mobility services and support projects that preserve the earth and work towards sustainability. a A more sustainable future. Agencies can work with technology companies to evaluate the options and determine if they offer long-term value based on their operational costs.

Changes in customer behaviour transit

Recently, the pandemic was devastating transit agencies in Different ways. Because fewer people are able to travel from their homes, some cities have reduced transport services. transit Any reason. No riders in those cases meant no trip data.

Many people are not aware of the existence transit Data is not yet a Although agencies did not ask riders for payment, they may still be able to estimate how many were riding. These can be obtained indirectly through the number of requests for journey planning or the real-time status checkups. However, they still offer insights into relative use of the system. 

During this time, one meaningful shift was that — especially during the height of the pandemic — riders grew conscious of using, or were reluctant to use, vending or fare collection machines due to health concerns. Agencies noticed in those situations that people were using mobile apps to manage and purchase their goods. transit cards. They were much more at ease using their personal devices than the public.

As riders have returned, there’s a There has been a noticeable increase in mobile usage, with people adopting digital wallets that are device-based like Apple Pay or Google Pay. The trend does not only affect the mobile side. in transit But in Cafés, bars, shops. Customer expectations are a mobile-first experience.

To measure trends transit Improvements

Data is everywhere, thanks to all of the device usage. The world is constantly being flooded with innovations, which generate an overwhelming volume of data. Although people love these new conveniences, many are also cautious regarding data collection and privacy. Many states have privacy laws that allow users to have greater control over their data. This is a serious issue. in transitThis is also true since agencies use aggregate rider information to decide the services required.

Transit systems would cease to exist if they weren’t underpinned with data to help inform agencies of ridership trends. Aggregate data can reveal changes in passenger behaviour, travel modes and route changes. This historical information can be used to anticipate what will happen next week or tomorrow.

Take, for example: a Large-scale events such as the New York City Marathon were attended by thousands. in By plane, car or public transitAgencies can review the various modes of transport used to assess their effectiveness and how they worked together for each event. They can make the best use of this information. transit assets. They are. better Prepare for the next one. Data is crucial to modernizing the world. transit They work. 

Exemplifying equity and inclusion by leading the way

Some transit Agency data can be very useful as it shows which features were popular with the public. Data can help agencies determine where and how flexible certain features have been adopted. 

Also, data is useful in Making public transportation more accessible to ensure everyone has access to vital community services and resources, such as healthcare and employment. It is important that accessibility be made available to ensure sustainability. Transforming transport systems so they are more accessible will foster inclusion and diversity.

Expanding public transport in underserved communities can have economic benefits. This is effectively done by studying travel patterns and destinations — known as point of interest data — for those in These communities are often underserved. These valuable insights can provide important insight into economic areas and help to improve the lives of underserved communities. in Planning more accessible and inclusive public transportation. Connected communities can be achieved by integrating aggregate mobility data.

It’s all about rider choice

It’s important to note that data privacy is of utmost importance to not just transit riders but technology providers, agencies and tech companies that deal with data. Most agencies will provide all services in most instances. transit Customers with a A seamless and secure payment process. Cubic’s fare collection systems, for instance, are built with equitable use in Mind to meet the needs of everyone transit All riders are welcome, regardless of whether they have smartphones or not. a Bank account 

Riders are perhaps the most important aspect of this. a Choice of how to pay transit trips according to their preference, including via contactless credit cards, mobile phones using an app — or a New smart card, which can be recharged at retailers using cash. They have more control over the anonymized data that is collected as well as how they wish to pay for their trip.

Which transit It will take us in The future

Data analytics are a Growing Area in transit. You can know the passengers by taking the number 12 bus to 8 aIf you know that the road will be closed at.m., then it is possible to offer alternative routes in order to minimize disruption. You must have all the relevant data and reasonable assurance that it is helpful to your customer before you can make recommendations.

Some agencies will also begin rewarding passengers’ behavior for riding outside of peak times (such as discounted fares). If providers are able flatten peak use times, they will be able to create savings and deliver more. a better Experience for riders. Customers may not even realize that these types of incentives are already happening, but it’s driven by background service consumption data, similar to how a Netflix accounts can provide recommendations.

I believe aggregate data is better. in transit This improves your overall service or product. These data drive actionable results. While the benefits are often subtle and may not be seen by the end user for some time, it is clear that such features and products can influence the actions that users take — and vice versa.

There’s a synergy between transit Data and more sustainable, efficient and reliable transportation systems are key to our collective future.

Paul Monk, senior product director for mobile at Cubic Transportation Systems.