Unlocking Real-Time Data

Josh’s keynote will tell the story of MassDOT’s award-winning Developers Initiative. Traditionally, transit agencies get real-time bus arrival information to bus riders by building their own countdown signs, launching their own websites, and building their own smartphone applications. MassDOT and the MBTA took a different approach and decided to open data for software developers first through a five bus line pilot. In just two months, more than a dozen applications had been built by developers including smartphone apps, SMS services, a phone system, and event an LED sign. As a result of this success, MassDOT and the MBTA have decided to take this approach and apply it to the rest of its 180+ bus routes. The MassDOT Developers story provides a strong example of what is possible when public agencies change their approach and harness the power of open data.