Transit Tech Lab seeks new solutions to transportation challenges
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and the Partnership for New York City have announced a second round for the Transit Tech Lab, the program that has helped put New York at the forefront of the emerging transit tech field, which is helping transform the customer experience, reduce commuting times and make it easier to manage complex transit systems.
“As we look to make unprecedented investments in service modernization, it is imperative that we utilize every avenue possible to open the MTA to the most creative technologists in mobility,” said MTA Chairman and CEO Patrick Foye. “The Transit Tech Lab is a proven partner for evaluating and introducing technologies that address some of our most critical challenges and it has generated millions of dollars in value at no cost to the MTA.”
Entrepreneurs with products that improve accessibility, enhance traffic coordination, or create new sources of revenues are invited to submit applications for the second year of the Transit Tech Lab by Nov. 30, 2019. Growth-stage companies with market-ready technology are encouraged to learn more and apply at transitinnovation.org.
Last year, the program received almost 100 applications. Six companies were selected for the eight-week accelerator program, which is held in the spring, and four have proceeded to piloting their products with the MTA. MTA says the program proved so successful that the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ), New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT), New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission, New Jersey (NJ) Transit and Amtrak are participating alongside the MTA this year.
Experts from public agencies, academia and business will evaluate submissions and select the most compelling companies to participate in an eight-week accelerator to achieve “proof of concept”—meaning their product demonstrates potential to solve one of the problems targeted by the MTA or another agency. Where this milestone is achieved, companies will move on to a formal pilot project that deploys their product for testing in a participating transit system.
“The Port Authority is committed to upgrading its facilities to 21st century global standards. We’re excited to join Transit Tech Lab in its second year,” said PANYNJ Executive Director Rick Cotton. “With the lab’s assistance, we seek to utilize private-sector innovation and cutting-edge solutions to improve accessibility and reduce traffic and curbside congestion at our airports.”
The program is part of the Transit Innovation Partnership that was established by the MTA and the Partnership for New York City, a business organization, in 2018 to support New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s plans to bring New York’s mass transit system into the 21st Century. It is run by Rachel Haot, former chief digital officer of New York City and state.
“The future of our city depends on public transit. Thanks to the governor and MTA’s leadership and commitment to innovation, our public transit system is improving,” Haot said. “With the Transit Tech Lab, we’re excited to build on that momentum and make our city the global leader in mobility by attracting the most innovative companies from around the globe to improve transportation in New York.”
The 2020 Transit Tech Lab challenges focus on accessibility, entrepreneurial revenue generation and traffic coordination.
Accessibility: How can New York’s public transit system be made more accessible?
Today, New York’s transit system can be challenging for disabled customers since only 25 percent of subway stations are wheelchair accessible and information is often communicated exclusively via visual signage or audio announcements. As reflected by the 2020-2024 Capital Program, the MTA is committed to improving accessibility for all. With this Transit Tech Lab challenge, the MTA is seeking technology that can enhance accessibility to better serve customers with special needs, including those with auditory, visual, mobility and mental impairments, the elderly and child caregivers. Potential technology includes wayfinding, mapping and Augmented Reality tools.
Entrepreneurial Revenue Generation: How can public transit generate more revenue outside the farebox?
Increasing recurring entrepreneurial revenue for public transit would make transportation agencies less dependent on fares, taxes and bonds and enable transit agencies to invest more in maintenance, operations and service. This Transit Tech Lab challenge seeks solutions that will enable the transit operators to capitalize on entrepreneurial opportunities, deriving more value from their expansive assets. Opportunities include digital marketplaces for assets, customer loyalty programs and digital retail.
Traffic Coordination: How can transit agencies reduce traffic by increasing coordination at the curb?
Record traffic in New York City costs $20 billion annually in lost productivity and excess costs. The Transit Tech Lab seeks solutions to coordinating traffic at the curb among passenger cars, for-hire vehicles, public buses, commercial trucks, tour buses, bicycles and pedestrians. Potential opportunities include dynamic pricing for parking, real-time mapping and reservations and last-mile freight distribution networks.
“NJ Transit is excited for this opportunity to join the Transit Tech Lab, especially considering the pilot program’s highly-successful first year,” said NJ Transit President and CEO Kevin Corbett. “With our Capital Plan set to be released this spring, NJ Transit must be more strategic and more aggressive in harnessing innovations from the private sector to improve our organization and the service we provide. That’s exactly what the Transit Tech Lab will help us do.”
NYC DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg added, “...With growing demands for street space from multiple road users on New York City’s streets, we look forward to seeing the creative and innovative ways in which participants can help DOT improve curb management and keep New Yorkers moving.”
After companies apply, transit agency specialists and private sector experts will review the lab proposals. Venture capital evaluators include:
Reilly Brennan, general partner, Trucks Venture Capital
Hilary Gosher, managing director, Insight Venture Partners
Maria Gotsch, president and CEO, Partnership Fund for New York City
Nick Grossman, partner, Union Square Ventures
Dylan Hixon, principal, Arden Road Investments
Linda Kirkpatrick, executive vice president, U.S. Market Development, Mastercard
Brian Yormak, partner, Story Ventures
