AASHTO uses their YouTube channel to raise visibility of transportation issues within the United States. These issues range from congestion pricing, deteriorating infrastructure, or even reauthorization. Their videos inform the public about and encourage audience participation. One example is IToldThePresident.Org, a website that asks people to submit their videos telling the new administration what improvements they would like to see in transportation.
Bikewise is a mashup that combines bicycling hazards, crashes, and thefts with Google Maps. Developed by the Cascade Bicycle Club based in Seattle, Washington. Bikewise allows people to create accounts and post reports of their own incidents, adding them to the map.
@caltrain is a Twitter account set up by Caltrain riders to broadcast service alerts and other updates about the Caltrain system. This Twitter account was established to fulfill a need not met by Caltrain, namely convenient and timely updates. The service relies on Caltrain riders to share updates. More information can be found here.
@ctatweet republishes CTA Alerts without requiring them to sing up for the system, as well as allow CTA riders to post their own news about specific lines. CTA Tweet is a user-driven service that fills a need that CTA does not provide solutions for.
@FreeLATraffic uses an RSS feed from Greater Los Angeles Sigalert to automatically broadcast in Twitter. This way followers receive updates about Los Angeles traffic as part of their Twitter feed.
There are a number of interstate highways that have MySpace profiles. These profiles are not created or maintained by any particular organization, but are a sign of people’s affection for different roads. I-80, I-43, and I-95 are just a few of the highways with MySpace profiles that let fans connect with their favorite stretch of pavement.
You can be a fan of the ITS Library on Facebook. The library uses the Facebook page to extend services to users in an environment they spend a lot of time in. Fan can see the library’s recent acquisitions, hours, information, and news about library events. There are also pictures from library hosted function, which add another connection with the library’s users.
@KanBikeWalk uses Twitter to broadcast stories about transportation safety in Kansas that affect bicyclists and pedestrians. Their tweets are added content from their website.
Los Angeles Metro on MySpace is a marketing tool that not only lets Metro let their riders know about services and awards, but also allows riders to show how they feel about the system.
Missouri Department of Transportation uses their YouTube channel to publicize news and events from the department, such as bridge demolitions or new construction projects, as well as public service announcements about safety issues. They also solicit user feedback and comment through, encouraging people to post video responses.
If you live in San Francisco and ride Muni, you might be all too familiar with some of their service disruptions. Now there’s a website that helps you let San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom know how they affect you. MuniFail is a new site that lets people tweet:
“Hey, @gavinnewsom! I was late for work today because MUNI was broken.”
MuniFail creator Mike Montiero spoke to WIRED recently, saying:
“What struck me the most about this, and other Muni incidents, isn’t the initial problem itself,” Montiero said. What compelled him to get social media involved was a perceived “total lack of communication between different points in the system and the total lack of plan about what to do when breakdowns happen.”
…
“[Newsom] sees the tweets, and he shares riders’ concerns about Muni,” [mayoral mouthpiece Tony] Winnicker said. “He understands the tweets are another way for people to vent their legitimate frustration right now.”
…
“The major difficulties I see right now aren’t budget-oriented or service-oriented. They’re communication oriented,” [Montiero] said. “The mayor isn’t engaged in the problem so he’s not communicating what’s going on to his constituents.”
Google Labs just launched a new Android app to help you find parking. Open Spot works through crowd sourcing. As you leave a parking spot, make a note on the map. Then others can see the “freshness” of that spot.
Roadify is a new group-sourced transportation website, that provides real-time information to travelers around Brooklyn. Currently their “Paking Around Me” (PAM) service lets people, through text messaging, let the community know when parking spots open up or where open spots are. Their new services “Buses Around Me” will launch soon. You can also check them out on Twitter @roadify.
Santo Domingo Metro, of the Dominican Republic, uses their MySpace profile as another website. They provide background on the system, news about upcoming lines and projects, as well as videos about the transit agency.
Trapster is a mashup where users can supply information about speed traps and red-light cameras to be shared with the community. The platform uses the Google Maps API.
Triptrop NYC is a mashup that helps people estimate average travel times from different addresses in New York City. The map is generated with the Google Maps API, subway line information, and traffic information.
MashTrans.org is created and maintained by the ITS Library. For more information, you may contact Kendra K. Levine at klevine (at) library.berkeley.edu.
@
@
@
@
@
@
