Each year, we engage transit agency stakeholders to find out which technologies are top of mind for senior leadership to help entrepreneurs solve the problems that matter most to our public sector partners. Our proven process has received strong endorsement from both the startups and public servants we work with.
Past Challenge Competitions
Human Capital Challenge • 2023
How do we best utilize human capital resources?
NYC regional transit agencies, along with other public transportation agencies across North America, are facing a workforce shortage. To meet service needs, agencies are seeking tools to improve employee recruitment and retention through the Human Capital Challenge.
Recovery Challenge • 2022
How can we support the recovery of public transit and deliver service that gets customers back?
The COVID-19 pandemic has altered mobility patterns for millions of citizens who rely on public transit. As New York recovers it is vital to reimagine public transit to meet its evolving needs.
Sustainability Challenge • 2022
How can we build a more climate resilient transportation system and increase energy efficiency of fleets and facilities?
Extreme weather is now becoming frequent as a result of a warming planet. Bus, rail, and subway operations have been impacted by extreme weather events, including flash floods and winter storms.
Signaling Challenge • 2021
How can we modernize the subway signaling system faster and at lower cost?
MTA subways are controlled by an aging signaling system. By digitizing this signaling system, the MTA can safely and reliably run more subways cars more closely together, increasing capacity and making travel more enjoyable.
Accessibility Challenge • 2020
How can we make New York’s public transit system more accessible?
Today, New York’s transit system can be challenging for disabled customers: Only 25% of subway stations are wheelchair accessible and information is often communicated exclusively via visual signage or audio announcements. As reflected by the 2020-2024 Capital Program, the MTA is committed to improving accessibility for all.
Curb Coordination Challenge • 2020
How can we reduce traffic by improving coordination at the curb?
Record traffic in New York City cost the $20 billion annually in lost productivity and excess costs. The Transit Tech Lab sought solutions to coordinating traffic at the curb among passenger cars, for-hire vehicles, public buses, commercial trucks, commuter vans, tour buses, bicycles and pedestrians.
Bus Challenge • 2019
How can we make buses faster and more efficient, especially in bus lanes?
Traffic has increased in New York City and bus lanes are often blocked. As a result, buses travel more slowly than ever. In midtown Manhattan, the average bus speed is as low as 3.4 mph, comparable to a New Yorker's walking speed.
Subway Challenge • 2019
How can we better predict subway incident impacts and serve customers?
New York City Transit serves an annual subway ridership of over 1.7 billion, runs nonstop 365 days a year and spans 472 stations. With 5.6 million passengers and over 8,200 trips per weekday on routes with multiple merge points, numerous types of incidents occur each day resulting in over 2,500 delays per weekday. Each delay requires NYCT staff to make complex decisions and communicate with customers in real-time.
