NJ TRANSIT, the largest statewide public transportation system in the United States, held Industry Day on Wednesday and heard industry experts’ thoughts and ideas on how to use real-time data to modernize how the agency communicates system status and customer information.
The event was invitation only and featured experts who expressed interest in the agency’s June 10 request for information from companies that provide real-time transit communications systems. The request was issued for informational purposes only with a deadline of Sept. 17. The agency will begin a more formal procurement process after the deadline and will award a final contract next year.
The request asked companies to share information regarding commercially available platforms, and custom-developed systems along with innovative ways to integrate the systems using artificial intelligence and other tools. The platforms must provide customers with a single source of accurate and timely information regarding train and bus status across multiple platforms including digital station signage, email and text alerts, mobile app, and website.
The goal is the development of unified customer communications across the transit system that increases accuracy, efficiency, timeliness and consistency of customer communications.
The agency will use the information it learns in the upcoming procurement process.