TransLoc Launches MicroTransit Accelerator Challenge for Municipal Transit Agencies

TransLoc has announced the launch of its first-ever MicroTransit Accelerator Challenge, a competition to identify and reward the nation’s most visionary transit agencies and municipalities with the expertise, planning resources, data analysis and predictive insights to stimulate demand-driven, flexible transit in the communities they serve. Three winners will be awarded comprehensive microtransit consultation and data analytics services from the experts at TransLoc. The deadline for applying is October 27, 2017.

“One of the most daunting challenges transit agencies face when considering flexible transit solutions — from agency-owned first mile/last mile, demand response ride-hailing and beyond — is access to the data and insights that can help ensure successful services, even before they put a single vehicle on the road,” said TransLoc vice president Rahul Kumar. “The Accelerator Challenge brings TransLoc’s mission to life. We are convinced that the future of both fixed and flexible transit and all its benefits rests squarely with the agencies themselves. We want to be another positive force to accelerate the exciting new future of smarter American cities.”

Microtransit, the flexible, city-owned demand-response mode that bridges the gap between single-user transportation and fixed-route services, has the power to positively impact a city’s social mobility and economic viability.

Transit agencies and cities are invited to submit an application (comprised of short answers and essay questions).

Challenge entries will be judged by a panel of world-class public transportation and smart city experts, including Gabe Klein and Peter Hirshberg. Winners will be announced on November 17, 2017.

Entries will be evaluated against any of four criteria:

• Increased Ridership — How ridership can be improved by reaching new and underserved areas, expanding access to existing transit service areas, or introducing new communities to existing services.
• Social and Community Value — How agencies believe they can leverage microtransit to embrace social challenges and support the economic vitality of the communities they serve.
• Environmental Impact — How agencies envision microtransit supporting efforts to reduce emissions or deploy environmentally-friendly vehicles, promoting green mobility initiatives, and reducing vehicle miles travelled.
• Improved Efficiency — How agencies plan to increase efficiency of current or future transit plans, ridership, route utilization and more using microtransit.

The MicroTransit Accelerator Challenge builds on TransLoc’s commitment to helping cities and transit agencies deliver the ultimate rider experience through the use of big data, simulation, predictive modeling, and innovative technology. In sponsoring this contest, TransLoc hopes to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges transit agencies are trying to solve using microtransit as well as inspire municipalities to consider how both fixed and flexible transit can work in concert to usher in a greener, smarter future for their communities.

Competition Details:

Grand Prize

The winning agency will receive:

• MicroTransit Planning Session
  A full-day workshop facilitated by TransLoc MicroTransit Experts at your location
  This hands-on working session provides direct consultation with our Microtransit Pre-Planning Services team.
• Data-Gathering Diagnostic Session
  A session with TransLoc’s expert data science team
  Our data scientists will work directly with your team to identify the key metrics that will make your vision a success. If your agency does not currently have data available, TransLoc data scientists will leverage industry benchmarks and other critical data from agencies similar to yours.
• Custom MicroTransit Simulator Presentation
  A presentation and feedback session facilitated by TransLoc MicroTransit Experts
  The TransLoc MicroTransit team will present to your agency our findings based on the computer-generated microtransit simulations created using several key data sources. The team will present multiple scenarios optimized for rider experience and operational efficiencies with recommendations for making your microtransit service a reality.

Two (2) Runner-ups

Two Runners-Up will be awarded the following:

• Data-Gathering Diagnostic Session
  A session with TransLoc’s expert data science team
  Our data scientists work directly with your team to identify the metrics that are crucial to understand and analyze to make your vision a reality. If actual data is not available, our team will provide industry benchmarks and data from agencies similar to yours.
• Custom MicroTransit Simulator Presentation
  A presentation and feedback session facilitated by TransLoc Microtransit Experts
  The TransLoc Microtransit team will present our findings based on the computer-generated microtransit simulations created using your agency’s data and several other key data sources. The team will present multiple scenarios optimized for rider experience and operational efficiencies with recommendations for next steps.