Category: Technology

A Mapnificent Tool

On By AdamIn bus schedules, Technology9 Comments

There’s no shortage of creative geniuses out there looking for ways to take raw transit data and turn it into something useful (or at least fun to play with). Here’s one to try. It’s called Mapnificent. Using Google Maps, it’ll show you how far you can travel using transit, cycling and walking from any given address within the time parameter of your choice.

I tried it by asking it to show me how far I can go within 15 minutes from the lovely Capital Metro headquarters building at 5th/Pleasant Valley at around 6 a.m. on a weekday. Here’s what it came up with:

Looks like a ghost hovering next to a microphone; Hermann Rorschach may have had a different interpretation.

Continue reading “A Mapnificent Tool” →

What’s Up with the Train’s Wi-Fi?

On By Kirk TalbottIn MetroRail, passenger rail, Technology, train, Web20 Comments

So recently, there has been some buzz around issues with the Wi-Fi on the train. Specifically people have been complaining about how slow the connection has been and how it can cut out at certain points on the route and how the system overall was a piece of __insert your own expletive here___. Being a sensitive soul and one that doesn’t like to see a good thing turn sour I did a little digging to figure out what the extent of the problem is and what can be done about it.

Continue reading “What’s Up with the Train’s Wi-Fi?” →

Drive-through bus

On By AdamIn All Systems Go, new buses, Technology4 Comments

Here’s something to keep in mind next time you’re in a car and grumbling because you’re stuck behind a bus.  A company is building a gigantic bus that cars can drive through.  Sounds simple enough:  if you’re behind the bus when it stops to pick-up passengers, no sweat, just keep on going and drive right through.  Can’t quite envision that?  Check out these design images:

Continue reading “Drive-through bus” →

The Scoop on Bus Arrival Times

On By AdamIn bus schedules, MetroLabs, Technology, Uncategorized1 Comment

Why wait for the bus out in the heat, rain or cold when you can hang out inside and get an ice cream cone, a cup of coffee and bus arrival times all in the same place? That’s what a Boston software engineer was thinking when he developed an LED bus arrival display sign and convinced the folks at his local hangout to put it up next to the ice cream counter. Continue reading “The Scoop on Bus Arrival Times” →