The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ), New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT), and Partnership Fund for New York City on Jan. 8 launched the annual Transit Tech Lab (TTL) competition, “which seeks to harness expertise from local and global tech companies to improve public transit.”
This year’s challenges, TTL says, “aim to find companies that can improve infrastructure management, modernize data, and update workflow for regional public transit agencies.”
This is the eighth year of the TTL, a process that it says “has advanced technological innovation at New York-New Jersey regional transportation agencies.” Companies that are selected will conduct a proof-of-concept over an eight-week period of collaboration with agency partners. Participating agencies may then opt to further test promising technology through a longer-term pilot.
According to the Lab, since 2018, the TTL has fielded more than 1,000 applicants, tested 81 technologies and facilitated 16 commercial procurements. Nearly 60 companies have been selected to participate in year-long pilots with these public sector agencies through the TTL, “conducting deeper tests to demonstrate the real-world value and scalability of their technology to agency partners.”
This year’s competition is composed of two challenges. Summaries of each appear below. Interested companies can submit their proposals here until Feb. 27.
Advanced Infrastructure Challenge: How can public agencies better monitor and manage infrastructure to improve asset performance, resilience, and lifecycle cost?
Technologies may include:
- Technologies to monitor infrastructure conditions in real time.
- Tools to detect leaks, corrosion, voltage instability, and utility disruptions.
- Systems to inventory, map and monitor fiber and copper cable infrastructure.
- Tools to digitally track construction progress in real time.
- Tools to detect and analyze safety, compliance, and behavioral risks, including speeding and obstructions.
- Technologies to manage bridge strikes in real time.
Data and Workflow Modernization Challenge: How can public agencies consolidate data and apply analytics to improve service or workforce productivity?
Technologies may include:
- Workforce scheduling tools to optimize maintenance staffing while balancing labor costs, overtime, and operational needs.
- Predictive tools to optimize bus service by analyzing real-time operations and recommending interventions to reduce bunching and service gaps.
- Tools to integrate large volumes of video, sensor, operational, financial, and mobility data into a unified analytics platform.
- Tools to detect and prevent media manipulation and identity fraud.
“Public transit is the lifeblood of New York City, and innovation is essential for building a system that works better for all. We’re excited to continue bringing transit agencies and technologists together to create a smarter, more efficient network that can evolve alongside the city it serves,” said Partnership for New York City Senior Vice President of Innovation Stacey Matlen.
“This NYC DOT is going to be aggressively delivering on our Vision Zero goals, with ambitious, bold projects to make our streets safer. Doubling down on this work will require looking at every opportunity to become a more efficient and organized agency. We look forward to working with the Transit Tech Lab to explore ways to use new tech to improve our data collection and workflow management,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn.
“While MTA customers enjoy record or near record levels of service and on-time performance, the MTA is always looking for ways to become more efficient. The development of behind-the-scenes tech solutions to problems, even small ones, is a key tool to pursue the dual goals of improved customer experience and increased productivity. Our collaboration with the Transit Tech Lab helps us bring in new, cutting-edge technological solutions and we’re thrilled to see the creativity that folks inside and outside the agency will bring to bear,” said MTA Chief of Strategic Initiatives Jon Kaufman.
“Our work with the Transit Tech Lab underscores our commitment to modernizing how this agency operates. By thoughtfully integrating emerging technologies into our daily operations, we strengthen our ability to deliver reliable, resilient, and efficient services. Partnering with early-stage companies through the Transit Tech Lab allows us to help shape solutions that are practical, scalable and offer real public value,” said PANYNJ Chief Technology Officer Robert Galvin.
