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spmarshall
Guest
Not bad!
Needs a few updates though: It needs to go beyond the cut-off on the ride guide to include all of Brampton and Mississauga. And BT has updated its system since - routes 11A and 40 are not shown, nor the extensions of route 23, for example. Though I expect that's Phase II (what's done so far is great).
I love how the stations link with the efficiency guide diagrams. Imagine the possibilities!
The TTC should do something like this, have a proper trip planning program, and also include the surface route stops where there's a timepost and have a hyperlink to those. Then one should be able to select the day and time of day to see which of those dashed routes aren't running. With GPS, then see where the buses are - if you live by a stop, could figure out when the next bus will really arrive, and if there's severe bunching as well. Though that's me getting a bit overexcited about the possibilities of such webmapping.
Needs a few updates though: It needs to go beyond the cut-off on the ride guide to include all of Brampton and Mississauga. And BT has updated its system since - routes 11A and 40 are not shown, nor the extensions of route 23, for example. Though I expect that's Phase II (what's done so far is great).
I love how the stations link with the efficiency guide diagrams. Imagine the possibilities!
The TTC should do something like this, have a proper trip planning program, and also include the surface route stops where there's a timepost and have a hyperlink to those. Then one should be able to select the day and time of day to see which of those dashed routes aren't running. With GPS, then see where the buses are - if you live by a stop, could figure out when the next bus will really arrive, and if there's severe bunching as well. Though that's me getting a bit overexcited about the possibilities of such webmapping.
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EnviroTO
Guest
It is the Ride Guide overlayed on Google Maps. There isn't any actual modifications to what is provided in the ride guide is there?
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Observer Walt
Guest
Giambrone has called for a revamp of the TTC's web site. Maybe something like this can be integrated. What's really needed is a comprehensive depiction of what is actually to be found around each subway station and GO station (for a start).
Montreal's transit web site has had some of this for years. You click on each station and can see a map indicating the surroundings of each station, with schools, public buildings, etc. all indicated. It's fairly basic but Toronto doesn't have even that much.
Montreal's transit web site has had some of this for years. You click on each station and can see a map indicating the surroundings of each station, with schools, public buildings, etc. all indicated. It's fairly basic but Toronto doesn't have even that much.
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scarberiankhatru
Guest
"The TTC should do something like this, have a proper trip planning program, and also include the surface route stops where there's a timepost and have a hyperlink to those."
I take it you don't like the current setup which requires scrolling down a list of hundreds of routes using that tiny little scroll bar?
I take it you don't like the current setup which requires scrolling down a list of hundreds of routes using that tiny little scroll bar?
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spmarshall
Guest
LOL yes!
Then there's the pain if you want to see the reverse direction of the same route by scrolling through the whole list of routes again.
It's got a scroll down menu and a GO! button. So 1996.
Then there's the pain if you want to see the reverse direction of the same route by scrolling through the whole list of routes again.
It's got a scroll down menu and a GO! button. So 1996.
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prometheus the supremo
Guest
the TTC should work on a KMZ file for google earth showing all the routes and have near realtime gps tracking for its fleet. you can already track flights on google earth. it's pretty cool.
since we're wishing for online goodies, it would be nice to book a wheeltrans trip online.
since we're wishing for online goodies, it would be nice to book a wheeltrans trip online.
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silentworth
Guest
It would be nice if the ttc could implement a journey planner. The london tube has this in place and makes navigating the transit system a breeze (they do however have a much more complicated system in the first place)...
journeyplanner.tfl.gov.uk/
journeyplanner.tfl.gov.uk/
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dashingdan
Guest
Maybe the TTC could borrow the software Mississauga Transit used for its trip planner "Click N Ride".
www.mississauga.ca/portal...clicknride
And of course then the information from all the transit systems in the GTA could be incorporated. And a graphical representation would definitely be helpful. And realtime information.
www.mississauga.ca/portal...clicknride
And of course then the information from all the transit systems in the GTA could be incorporated. And a graphical representation would definitely be helpful. And realtime information.
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Degnaw
Guest
I saw once that google was working on a trip planner for Toronto, not sure when it was supposed to happen though.
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wyliepoon
Guest
The Star
Link to article
High-tech tools help riders
Online trip-planning system in works as use of GPS technology expands to keep TTC bus commuters informed
Dec. 16, 2006. 12:00 PM
DONOVAN VINCENT
CITY HALL BUREAU
TTC boss Adam Giambrone hopes the agency will have a new "trip planning'' system — where riders would go online to plan their journey — up and running in the next year.
When that happens Toronto would have the same service Mississauga Transit provides, a service that has grown from 8,000 hits online per month when it launched last year, to 30,000 a month this past summer. (http://www.mississauga.ca/portal/residents/publictransit)
"It's about giving people options. We want to make planning their trip on the TTC easier,'' Giambrone said yesterday.
Increasingly the TTC is incorporating high-tech tools to improve service for riders. The transit body is also looking into Global Positioning System technology that would use countdown clocks to inform waiting transit riders when the next bus or streetcar would arrive.
GPS uses satellite technology to track vehicle position. That allows for accurate arrival and departure times. York Region's bus rapid transit system — Viva — has been using the technology since its launch in September 2005 to let waiting riders know vehicle arrival times.
TTC staff reports scheduled for January will provide commissioners with updates on a work plan and costs for a trip planning system. Eventually riders would log on to the TTC's website, http://www.ttc.ca and click on ``trip planner.''
You'd input a starting point using a street address or landmark, give a final destination in the city, and the system would tell you the buses or streetcars or trains needed to get there, and wait times.
Now users call the TTC to get routes planned over the phone.
Once a new system is in place there are tentative plans to provide the information to Google Transit. That would make the TTC's trip planner more accessible to visitors who want to come to Toronto and get around.
Representatives from the TTC and other transit authorities in the GTA have been meeting under the auspices of Smart Commute exploring the possibility of joining forces to form one seamless trip-planning system that would be available on Google Transit. But Giambrone says he wants to see the TTC's own system well underway before that happens.
The TTC had initially looked at a trip-planning initiative a few years back. But roadblocks, including the way the transit body managed its data, meant costs of $2 million and more. Senior management pulled the plug on the idea.
As for the so called "next-stop'' technology that incorporates GPS, the TTC is undergoing a "geospatial review,'' explains John Cannon, a chief IT representative with the TTC.
The TTC already has a few "talking buses'' in service, which use GPS technology to tell riders, via activated voices, the next stop coming.
GPS technology is also being used for security purposes to keep track of TTC vehicles that transport tickets and tokens.
Staff will report to the commission in about a month on GPS technology and how to expand it to "next-stop'' technology to assist riders waiting for TTC buses and streetcars, Cannon says.
Link to article
High-tech tools help riders
Online trip-planning system in works as use of GPS technology expands to keep TTC bus commuters informed
Dec. 16, 2006. 12:00 PM
DONOVAN VINCENT
CITY HALL BUREAU
TTC boss Adam Giambrone hopes the agency will have a new "trip planning'' system — where riders would go online to plan their journey — up and running in the next year.
When that happens Toronto would have the same service Mississauga Transit provides, a service that has grown from 8,000 hits online per month when it launched last year, to 30,000 a month this past summer. (http://www.mississauga.ca/portal/residents/publictransit)
"It's about giving people options. We want to make planning their trip on the TTC easier,'' Giambrone said yesterday.
Increasingly the TTC is incorporating high-tech tools to improve service for riders. The transit body is also looking into Global Positioning System technology that would use countdown clocks to inform waiting transit riders when the next bus or streetcar would arrive.
GPS uses satellite technology to track vehicle position. That allows for accurate arrival and departure times. York Region's bus rapid transit system — Viva — has been using the technology since its launch in September 2005 to let waiting riders know vehicle arrival times.
TTC staff reports scheduled for January will provide commissioners with updates on a work plan and costs for a trip planning system. Eventually riders would log on to the TTC's website, http://www.ttc.ca and click on ``trip planner.''
You'd input a starting point using a street address or landmark, give a final destination in the city, and the system would tell you the buses or streetcars or trains needed to get there, and wait times.
Now users call the TTC to get routes planned over the phone.
Once a new system is in place there are tentative plans to provide the information to Google Transit. That would make the TTC's trip planner more accessible to visitors who want to come to Toronto and get around.
Representatives from the TTC and other transit authorities in the GTA have been meeting under the auspices of Smart Commute exploring the possibility of joining forces to form one seamless trip-planning system that would be available on Google Transit. But Giambrone says he wants to see the TTC's own system well underway before that happens.
The TTC had initially looked at a trip-planning initiative a few years back. But roadblocks, including the way the transit body managed its data, meant costs of $2 million and more. Senior management pulled the plug on the idea.
As for the so called "next-stop'' technology that incorporates GPS, the TTC is undergoing a "geospatial review,'' explains John Cannon, a chief IT representative with the TTC.
The TTC already has a few "talking buses'' in service, which use GPS technology to tell riders, via activated voices, the next stop coming.
GPS technology is also being used for security purposes to keep track of TTC vehicles that transport tickets and tokens.
Staff will report to the commission in about a month on GPS technology and how to expand it to "next-stop'' technology to assist riders waiting for TTC buses and streetcars, Cannon says.
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disparishun
Guest
Prometheus -- right on. I posted a comment on Spacing Wire a few hours ago saying pretty much the same thing...
To wit: I really think that if the TTC is going to do this right, they need to go beyond thinking in terms of visual interfaces, and make sure they publish data feeds. There are two main benefits:
1. Third-party developers and enthusiasts who could tap the data to create their own online and mobile tools.
2. Community of data -- by publishing data feeds to a common standard, uncoordinated integration of data feeds from multiple sources (other transit systems, and not only transit systems) becomes possible.
This is something I think just makes sense. Because Giambrone is pretty young, I have hope that he would "get" why it's a more technology-appropriate solution, insofar as it enables downstream innovation. But how to get the message to him?
To wit: I really think that if the TTC is going to do this right, they need to go beyond thinking in terms of visual interfaces, and make sure they publish data feeds. There are two main benefits:
1. Third-party developers and enthusiasts who could tap the data to create their own online and mobile tools.
2. Community of data -- by publishing data feeds to a common standard, uncoordinated integration of data feeds from multiple sources (other transit systems, and not only transit systems) becomes possible.
This is something I think just makes sense. Because Giambrone is pretty young, I have hope that he would "get" why it's a more technology-appropriate solution, insofar as it enables downstream innovation. But how to get the message to him?
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prometheus the supremo
Guest
if they work together with google earth using their standard, the possibilities are endless. you would be able to see banks near your stop, resturants, heck, even bathrooms if you want. it's endless.
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adma
Guest
Escort services?
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prometheus the supremo
Guest
someone took the time to list all the toronto rub 'n tugs and some street meats on google earth. :lol
