about this project

goals

TransitDB aims to transform the way commuters interact with public transit information systems, by improving ease of information access, and by presenting the data more effectively. It is an effort to provide a modern, clean, and user-friendly interface for transit data. It achieves this by leveraging modern and emerging web technologies.

TransitDB has a useful and practical implementation of location-based services, demonstrated by the Nearby Stops feature. Being able to see bus stops and routes dynamically mapped, with easy access to related information, makes the data more understandable for people unfamiliar with the transit system, including people taking a new route, and tourists. This is particularly helpful, in advance of the Vancouver 2010 Olympics.

TransitDB is also useful for transit users who are already familiar with the system. Through the app, users can very quickly reach the information they want, with friendly URLs that allow bookmarking, sharing, and manual editing (the system currently in use does not). Bus exchange overviews allow optimization of commutes. For example, UBC students who can take multiple buses to get home can use TransitDB to see which applicable buses are arriving next.

rationale

Transit information systems currently in use in Metro Vancouver are slow, and not known to be very user-friendly. For instance, map data is outdated, and information related to what the user is viewing is not made accessible. PDF route and system maps don't provide information regarding individual stops and trips.

The TransitDB project was started with the desire to solve these problems, and to fill a service niche: transit commutes can be considered a personal optimization problem, and there are many unexplored possibilities in how to facilitate personal commute optimization. The development philosophy is pretty simple: I should personally find a given feature to be useful, and be able to provide a concrete example of its usefulness. I've got a big wishlist of features, so I'll be occupied for some time!

scope

At this time, TransitDB provides data for the Metro Vancouver area, serviced by TransLink. Expansion to other cities is possible in the future, depending on user interest and data availability.

As trip planning is a very complex subject, it is currently beyond the scope of TransitDB. Instead, TransitDB aims to improve the UI and data accessibility aspects.

This application is far from being complete, as there are many more features that could be added. However, it already has enough features to be very useful to the average commuter.

Keep checking back for updates and new features! Some of the things planned are commute optimization tools, and mobile applications.