Mapping and Transit Data Distribution

Metrolinx Browser Based Mapping Application

Metrolinx is adding a mapping function to the public consultation site

Jacquie from Metrolinx took us through a demonstration of the mapping application.

A description of a presentation of the application at Metronauts1 is also provided here.

The objectives of the application includes gathering information from Transit users on their surrent routes, proposed routes, and reccomendations for transit services.

The mapping application is rich in data and can display current transit routes from a variety of services.

The discussion quickly evolved into open access to transportation Data

Transit Data Distribution

Metrolinx staff have completed a great amount of research and have put a lot of effort into collecting transit data across the province.  Some of this data has been analyzed and summarized into graphs and tables in the Metrolinx consultation documents.  The data should also be freely available to people who want to run additional analysis and want to develop interesting applications using the data. 

Metrolinx was commended for the openness of the process of elicitng input, including supporting Metronauts.  Metrolinx can contnue a further step along the crowd sourcing continuum by providing usable transit data.  This will reduce the information asymetry between Metrolinx and the tranist enthusiasts, and members of the public providing feedback on Metrolinx Transit Plans.

For example, the TTC provides annual data on Bus and Transit ridership for different routes.  Seattle's Bus Tracker provides real time information on bus arrival/departure times.  Ontario Transit enthusuasts could combine other sources of data they have, e.g. local data, and provide siome interesting conclusions.  One of the most famous examples of an organizations use of data for crowdsourcing ideas was GoldCorp giving away geological data as described in the book Wikinomics.  Ameteur geologists found deposits that GoldCorp had not discovered, and also provided methods for increasing the output of current operations.  Similar crowdsourced innovations can be achived in the tranit industry by sharing transit data.

One issue raised was that Metrolinx is not a Transit Operator like the TTC, and therefore does not "generate or "own" the data. The solution proposed is that Metrolinx can become a clearinghouse for regional tranit data, obtained from various transit operators.  Metrolinx is in a better position to obtain and publish data than members of the public who have to use means such as formal Accesss To Information requests. 

Another issue was that some members of the public may be "overwhelmed" by data, and may not know what to do with it.  The solution proposed was to "tuck away" the data under a sutitable heading, a consistent location where those requiring the data can find it, while it is not broadcast "in your face" for those that dont need it.

A wish list of transit data availablity

1) Publish static data which is available intermittently ( daily, weekly, monthly, annualy) as soon as possible.  Publish it in a format usable by other applications, such as Comma Separated Values, i.e. not as a PDF.

2) Publish live data such as GPS bus/train locations as close to real time as possible. Publish the data as an XML stream or other format usable by other applications.

3) Provide Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) to as many data resources as possible.  Interesting applications can be built by tech savvy transit enthusiasts.