Next Stop: Transit Tech

In our final episode of the season, we talk to Kevin Chambers of Full Path Technology about the challenges transit agencies can face in generating buy-in with their staff on new technology investments. A successful tech deployment requires a fully engaged staff, so listen in!

Yes, we're talking about AI - artificial intelligence! This technology could play a variety of roles in transit. In this episode, we talk to Kyle Shannon, lecturer in the Cognitive Science Department and Data Science Institute at UC San Diego, and the Director of Data Science at the Volunteer Transportation Center in New York State. We discuss where AI can play a role in supporting transit agencies, as well as where it's overhyped and its potential pitfalls.

In this episode we talk with Scott Chancey from Josephine County Transit in Grants Pass, Oregon, about the path to electrifying a rural transit fleet in his mountainous region. Scott shares many lessons learned, and what other rural transit managers should consider if they'd like to go electric, too.

Erich and Andrew talk to Geoff Coates and Patrick Urbine of Blue Krewe, the nonprofit operator of Blue Bikes Nola. Geoff and Patrick show us how their community-driven, nonprofit model of bikeshare supports economic development and increases the use of transit infrastructure throughout New Orleans.

Last year, the Heart of Iowa Regional Transit Agency (HIRTA) launched a new on-demand transit service across 7 counties of rural Iowa. This is an exciting development since many rural communities lack on-demand transportation options; instead many people who use transit services in similar communities need to book their trips well in advance. Changes like this are exciting opportunities to make mobility even more accessible to rural residents. Julia Castillo, HIRTA’s Executive Director, and Brooke Ramsey, HIRTA’s Business Manager talk to us about this latest effort among their endless numbers of innovative programs.

Season three is coming soon! We're excited to share more transit tech with you this summer