Transit 24/7 Application
Heidi Haxhiu, Kapil Tamang, Andrew Toro, Rajiv Seeram, Abdarahim Alayed
Writing for Engineering
Professor von Uhl
Abstract: A proposal in this case is an offer or solution to an issue that severely needs fixing or would be better and more useful if taken into consideration. The genre it may go hand-in-hand with can be a persuasive piece of writing since the writing is attempting to push forward their agenda. Our purpose for writing this proposal was to help our audience understand why transit safety is so important and to persuade them to take the proper steps to help overcome this challenge. A safe way to get to school, work, and run errands is the best motivation.
Summary:
Our proposal introduces an innovative mobile application called Transit 24/7, which merges the functionality of the MTA application with the NYC 311 application to enhance subway safety and passenger connectivity. The advanced subway application development will require a team of experienced network, hardware and software, and electrical engineers. The proposed budget for the initial application development phase is estimated at $100,000. This includes design, programming, security features, and our contribution to the already-developing MTA underground service system.
Press Release:
Release of Transit 24/7
Today, the founders of “Transit 24/7” announced the release of their new and improved application “Transit 24/7.” The application combines the most useful features of applications we use on a day-to-day basis to allow citizens to feel safer and well-protected. An application where commuters can check their oncoming train, delays and, most importantly, report crimes as soon as they happen.
The “Transit 24/7” is an advancement that has been coming for a long time and has been requested by many train users. The founders said, “This application is available for your safety and those around you, help is on the way after just a couple of clicks.” How many times have you been on the train wondering how to get out of a risky situation by the next stop? Your safety should never be anything but the priority. New York City lacks the sense of security many residents and tourists frequently seek.
The more advanced part of this development is the service system inside tunnels. Unsurprisingly, the subway system in New York needs more service from one station to the next. So how will you report these problems? “Transit 24/7” plans to work hand in hand with the MTA to provide a solution to the absence of connection. Though this is predicted to be costly and timely, Transit 24/7 hopes to provide a permanent solution to everyone’s safety by investing in the MTA and its underground service program.
About Transit 24/7: Transit 24/7 is an application that thrives on improving things in every New Yorker’s life to improve effectiveness, quality, safety, and much more. Understanding our residents’ struggles has allowed for a broader range of solutions since many issues are interconnected. Transit 24/7 believes that the improvement of New York will produce an improved lifestyle for many of its citizens.
Introduction:
Safety and communication play a big role when commuting through the subway system. Due to its recent advancements in applications like MTA and NYC 311, which update information on train schedules and services, report issues across NYC, and answer concerns people might have regarding their daily commute, Additionally, MTA applications allow commuters to receive information on subways, buses, and railroad services, including arrival times, service alerts, and real-time data, whereas the NYC 311 application allows commuters to get daily updates, which include school closures, trash collection, and alternate side parking, and report problems such as noise complaints, dirty sidewalks, and illegal parking. Residents in NYC use both applications to share information to report issues and use it to contact for emergencies, which improves overall safety when commuting
Despite having MTA and NYC 311 applications for commuters, there are still challenges that modern commuters face with the MTA and NYC 311 applications; when commuters want to contact emergency services like NYPD and MTA officers to report harassment or robbery, there are delays, making them victims of crime. In 2023, the NYPD spent a staggering $155 million on subway overtime, nearly 39 times the previous year’s cost (DaSilva, 2023). Despite these efforts, subway crime remains a pressing issue, with a 13% increase in crime rates compared to 2023 (Siff, 2024). Additionally, no application is developed to report crimes to NYPD or MTA officers, making it hard for emergency responders to react accordingly. This could mean a life or death situation to these commuters when they are in danger due to an absence of communication. Though emergency services try to lessen the impact of crimes on commuters, there is no proper way for citizens to call for help. Commuters are offered stops where police officers are present, but what if getting off at the next stop isn’t possible?
1.1. Purpose
To overcome these problems for commuters, our team plans to create a platform that combines both the MTA and NYC 311 to allow users to report an issue they may have had at a specific station and call for help. The application will be called Transit 24/7; it will allow for the improvement of overall safety on New York subways, and issues or dangers will be resolved quicker and more effectively.
1.2. Background
In order to understand why this application is needed, it is important to acknowledge the problems and needs that commuters have on a day-to-day basis. It is a matter of safety and reassurance for travelers. One of the driving reasons that this is a very important problem is due to the “mass shootings in the subway” (Closson, 2022). Commuters have felt unsafe, and no solution has been provided for them. During mass shootings, commuters can’t call emergency services as every second matters, and it takes time for them to explain the situation. Transit 24/7 allows you to choose your complaint automatically and send signals for help; saving time and lives.
We designed Transit 24/7, which allows you to tap and send signals for help and save lives in any threatening environment. Transit 24/7 believes this application will connect emergency services more quickly because of its fast responsiveness, allowing users to report online and offline. Transit 24/7 application will fill the gap between commuters and emergency services by providing a platform where commuters can use subway maps to locate themselves and report and receive real-time safety information based on what might concern them.
1.3. Scope
Transit 24/7 has many benefits to its users and will change the subway experience by having the ability to report in real-time and combining the function of both the MTA and NYC 311 applications; our application also creates a tool for commuters to feel safe when traveling in the subway system. With the development of the 24/7 application, we hope to provide a solution to service underground on subways as well.
1.3.1 What our application will accomplish
Real-time reporting: Transit 24/7 will allow users to report any dangers, incidents, and suspicious activities on the train, such as safety concerns or unattended packages left on the train, which commuters can report from their phones. –
Emergency Alert: All commuters who have the Transit 24/7 application will receive real-time alerts from users who have reported crimes or seen threatening situations on the train; this will enhance communication between commuters and alert them to stay safe in the subway.
Community Watchfulnesses: Similarly to Waze, our application also has a tool that allows users to share any feelings they might have regarding a specific station and mark it safe or unsafe for commuters to take extra precautions when traveling. This will also allow emergency services like the NYPD to deploy offices to increase station security.
User-Friendly Interface: Transit 24/7 will be easy to navigate and will not have an overly complicated design that might confuse commuters who are using the application for the first time. Our application has three taps: station map, status, and report to allow both regular commuters and occasional riders to feel comfortable with it.
1.3.2 What our application will not accomplish
Emergency Services Replacement: Our application is a way to provide reports to emergency services or MTA officers for troubles commuters might experience in the subway; it doesn’t replace traditional service like calling an officer, but our application provides a way to report to a safety personal to get on the scene and de-escalate the situation.
Non-Subway-Related Issues: Although our application focuses on subway-related issues in NYC, it will not report people’s concerns related to NYC, such as homelessness or sanitary problems, as they are unrelated to the subway system.
Tickets: Our application doesn’t allow you to purchase an online metro card or pay for your ride through our application because our application only focuses on subway safety, and ticket purchasing remains outside our scope of the application or for the future.
1.4. Objective
Our main objective for Transit 24/7 is to enhance commuters’ safety and environmental conditions of the NYC subway system. Although our application’s main focus is to create a safe environment for commuters; it is also a platform that provides train routes and schedules. We incorporated many necessary changes to help commuters get real-time alerts, which helps commuters get any emergency services they might need and improves the overall safety of the NYC subway. In the future, our team wants to incorporate many updates for Transit 24/7, such as creating a platform for homelessness or mental health crises, as the previous mayor of NYC wanted to do similar things like “Mayor de Blasio, MTA Announce First-Ever Expansion of NYC311 Service into Subway System” (N, N. 2021). Similarly, our application is designed to promote a user-friendly experience, which ensures everyone gets the benefits of using the application, even if commuters don’t have high-quality smartphones. Our main goal for launching this application is for commuters to increase their use of public transport and again feel safe in the subway system as crime rates started to rise, leading to 53% more arrests in the subway system before the years. (Siff, 2024) With this application, our team hopes to help create a positive environment among commuters so that their carbon footprint is improved without fearing danger.
Technical Description:
Over the years, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has slowly added Wi-Fi services to New York train stations. Today, they completed that mission by providing all 191 above-ground train stations and all 281 underground stations with cellular and Wi-Fi services. However, there still exists an issue with connectivity in the tunnels, a project that MTA is working towards resolving with Transit Wireless to improve the MTA communication system. We can see that this project is obtainable since they have already tested it on the L train line. For example, “The connection between Brooklyn and Manhattan on the L line became the first tunnel in the New York City subway system to have full connectivity for AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile customers” (MTA, 2022). Introducing a universal subway wireless connectivity plan suggests ideas for providing MTA customers with more detailed information during their commute. For instance, subway safety inside the carts and at the station could be greater with the ability to report issues and raise awareness; subway navigation would be more straightforward with the ability to know which cart riders are in and what the station looks like through a map detailing the location of stairs, elevators, and train sides. The ability to report issues if they happen while in the tunnel would increase how fast first responders could arrive and resolve the issues that arise. Navigation would help people find their way around the station faster and could help people with a language barrier. Furthermore, with connectivity, MTA customers could instantly get “real-time train arrival information” (MTA, 2022) and information about how full a train cart is. With these hypothetical features arising, one way to combine and implement them is through a mobile application.
Figure 1. The proposed look of the software application
Source. Created by Rajiv Seeram in XCode
This is the basis for the whole application which has a simplistic user interface for ease of use. There are a total of three buttons on the bottom of the screen which display different screens
above them when clicked.
1.1. Station Map
The station map button in the application is the first thing users would see when they open the application. This beginning view would display a map tracking your location to determine where users are to display a map of the station. The map would be simplistic so that users could understand and gather information quickly. The bottom of the screen would show numbered rectangular boxes representing the train and carts, and above that would display a larger rectangle representing the platform. Inside the larger platform would be squares with stair symbols or elevator symbols so users know which direction to find the nearest stairs. The application would continue precisely tracking the user’s location so that as they move through the station, they can see where the exits are and where it would put them.
1.2. Status
The status tab to the right of the station map tab on the bottom would be used to display a feature already found in the transit application but more developed. This tab would show all forms of MTA commute, such as subway, bus, and rails. This allows users to select the station they are currently at and search for real-time information about the train they are expecting. This page would also have an outages subsection in the Status tab, which displays issues that the MTA reports to inform users about delays or changes to tracks for maintenance. With this additional feature, users can be aware of potential issues with their commute so that they can accommodate any inconveniences ahead of time.
1.3 Report
The report tab can be found to the right of the status tab at the bottom of the screen, and its purpose is to replicate functionality like the Citizen application. When clicked on, this tab will show a map of all the available stations and allow users to report issues exclusively on the station platform. With access to cellular data and Wi-Fi, there would always be live updates about the issues that users report, so they can micromanage that section themselves. This function would significantly improve MTA customer safety by allowing them to inform others and police officers about any issues they need to address immediately. This feature can help people avoid areas that could be dirty or dangerous to avoid problems before they occur.
Innovation Process
An innovation process turns an idea into a valuable product or a beneficial service. This process is primarily used in business since the process can boost the estimated worth of goods and services for consumers and strengthen the competitive position of any business. However, this procedure will be applied in this instance to assist the people of New York with their issue—namely, the lack of safety and communication on the subway. Finally, an innovation process is crucial because it systematically directs the creation, development, and application of fresh concepts, encouraging innovation and strategic expansion in businesses, which in this case is the improvement of transportation applications like NYC 311 and the MTA application.
1.1 Time and Cost
The time and cost of creating an application can take a lot of work to predict and figure out. So, we will provide rough estimates since figuring out the exact number is next to impossible. Depending on several factors, including the complexity of the features, the number of developers, and the resources available. Typically, the development of a transportation application that works properly can take several months or even more than a year. Developing a transportation application usually takes 367 hours, 267 hours for the fastest, and 667 hours for the longest. The overall expense may range from $25,000 to $50,000 for the design and programming (Crowdbotics, 2024). This also depends on factors similar to the time it will take to create it. However, our contribution to the already-developing MTA underground service system skyrocketed to a final cost of $100,000.
1.2 Materials
To make an application like this, you must know about design elements such as UI and icons and be good at programming with languages like Kotlin, Swift, or JavaScript (Sarin, 2024). Besides coding tools themselves, testing equipment, finances; compliance with laws/regulations, and feedback mechanisms are key components that must be included throughout the application development process. The most important pieces of software required to develop this application are Adobe PhoneGap, Android Studio & Xcode.
1.2.1 Description of Materials
First, Xcode is a tool developers need to create programs for Apple devices. For example, “The combination of Swift and Xcode tools improves the programming experience to a new level. With its centralized workflow for Design, Coding, Testing, and Debugging, the tool helps to reflect the UI change instantly”(Sarin, 2024). This program ensures fast user interface reflection on changes through design, coding, testing, and debugging procedures. Android Studio makes creating applications for Google’s Android operating system easier. Another example is, “Android Studio helps in designing applications for Google’s Android Operating System. It provides a swift drag-and-drop layout designer for designing your application ideally without having to spend too much time on coding” (Sarin, 2024). This software has a drag-and-drop layout editor that allows you to design an application without spending much time coding. Android Studio helps in building for Android. Finally, Adobe PhoneGap offers the best platform for developers to work with a single codebase.
Appendices
| Group Member | Task Completed |
| Heidi Haxhiu | Press release, peer-reviewed entire paper, and Kapil’s part, checked for grammar issues, fact-checked. |
| Andrew Toro | Innovation process, peer-reviewed Abdarahim, and the entire paper. |
| Kapil Tamang | Introduction, peer-reviewed Rajiv’s “Technical description”, and checked for grammar issues. |
| Rajiv Seeram | Technical description, peer-reviewed Andrew’s “Innovation Process”, checked for grammar |
| Abdarahim Alayed | Summary, peer-reviewed the entire paper and Heidi’s part, checked for grammar issues |
References
- Rajiv. S, (2024). The proposed look of the software application. [Digital Artwork]. Personal Collection
- MTA announces Universal Subway Wireless Connectivity Plan. MTA. (n.d.). https://new.mta.info/press-release/mta-announces-universal-subway-wireless-connectivity-plan
- Yahoo! (n.d.). The NYPD spent $155 million on subway overtime in 2023, nearly 39 times last year’s cost. Yahoo! https://autos.yahoo.com/nypd-spent-155-million-subway-194500160.html
- Siff, A., & Staff, N. N. Y. (2024a, March 7). Ny Gov announces new subway safety push, deploys National Guard amid crime spike. NBC New York. https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/nyc-subway-safety-hochul-announcement/5199035/
- Andy Newman, T. C. (2022, April 15). Brooklyn subway shooting: Police search for gunman in attack on Brooklyn Subway (published 2022). The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/04/12/nyregion/brooklyn-subway-shooting
- Siff, A., & Millman, J. (2024, April 4). “nightmare” or no? NYC mayor, NYPD chief reveal latest subway crime stats. NBC New York. https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/subway-crime-nypd-update-police-plaza/5286151/
- Mayor de Blasio, MTA announce first-ever expansion of NYC311 service into subway system | City of New York. (n.d.). https://home3.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/news/484-21/mayor-de-blasio-mta-first-ever-expansion-nyc311-service-subway-system
