Inspection & Maintenance
How can we digitize manual inspections and optimize maintenance processes?
Applications due February 27, 2025
Technologies may include but are not limited to solving the following use cases:
USE CASE 1
Zero-emission bus specific operations and maintenance tools:
Analytical tools to help understand the safety, maintainability, operations, and reliability of hydrogen fuel cell electric buses
Tools that harvest machine data to predict and analyze performance trends on electric buses
A tool that collects electric bus data, transforms the data into maintenance feeds and leading indicator trends, and then flags for action
Positioning solution to optimize the charging of electric buses that can be utilized by any electric bus manufacturer
USE CASE 2
Data analysis tools to improve maintenance prioritization:
Video-based AI tools to aid in car and rail maintenance and inspections (e.g., detecting rail defects and trespassers; locating voltage leakage along the third rail system; catenary and pantograph monitoring; providing insights into vegetation management, grade crossing levels, ballast shoulders, etc.)
Tools to accurately assess operational state of fleets/specialty rail vehicles based on engine hours and mileage data
Tool to recommend maintenance and replacement parts according to operational state of fleets/specialty rail vehicles, and bridges and tunnels
USE CASE 3
Hardware to improve physical inspections and manual maintenance processes:
Cameras, microphones, accelerometers on revenue and non-revenue vehicles to augment inspections with more reliable and granular information
Tools to maintain and clean third rail systems without powering off
Tools to simplify maintenance and inspections of hard-to-reach areas of large facilities (e.g., tools to more efficiently clean glass, inspect equipment at the tops of buildings, change a light bulb, etc.)
USE CASE 4
Tools to help maintain a state of good repair in all facilities including:
Green, cost-effective construction materials
Cost-effective methods to retain heat/air
Alternative cost-effective techniques to de-icing that won’t erode roadways
New weigh in motion technologies to better enforce overweight truck restrictions
Tools to automatically alert and/or modify existing 3D digital twins
USE CASE 5
Tools for secure, remote diagnostics, repairs and data capture (e.g., secure VPN access, private 5G networks) to maintain machines and pull data without requiring physical presence.
USE CASE 6
Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) modeling software to inform strategic business and operational decisions that can analyze and weigh cost impacts (cost modeling over time), environmental assessment(s), and risk impacts; across large projects impacting operating efficiencies, fiscal accountability/savings and service delivery.
USE CASE 7
Tools to aid and support Standard Work (SW) process of scaling and institutionalization of inspections and maintenance activities and improve operating efficiencies
USE CASE 8
Workflow processing and enterprise management tools to reduce the time it takes to conduct business including:
Tools to digitize paper-based processes, PDF readers, and digitization tools that can integrate with existing systems such as timekeeping systems to automate timekeeping, training assignments, and work rules
Tools to track and improve employee availability and attendance (e.g., sick leave data collection, health form verification, attendance incentivization, etc.).
AI tools to digitize and optimize scheduling, crew management, and yard management
Timeline
JANUARY 13, 2025
Challenge Announcement
Challenges are announced based on transit agency leadership’s goals and priorities.
JANUARY 13 - FEBRUARY 27, 2025
Open Application
Growth-stage companies apply online, detailing evidence of product-market fit.
MARCH 2025
Evaluation Period
Public and private sector experts from transit and mobility sectors review applications.
APRIL 2-4, 2025 (NYC)
Semi-Finalist Pitch & Demo Day
Select companies are invited to NYC to pitch to a panel of private and public sector evaluators.
Select companies receive an invite to participate in an expo-style Demo Day aimed at exposure to a wider audience at MTA, PANYNJ, DOT, and NJT.
APRIL 14, 2025 - MAY 2, 2025
Preparation for Proof of Concept
Confirmation on scope of work for the Proof of Concept, as well as administrative tasks around cybersecurity and insurance are completed before the Proof of Concept starts.
MAY 5, 2025 - JUNE 27, 2025
Finalist Proof of Concept
Proof of Concepts are launched, where a minimal viable test is conducted with the relevant transit agency.
JULY 9-10, 2025 (NYC)
Finalist Presentations
Finalists present findings to transit agency leadership in NYC.
NOVEMBER 2025-2026
Pilot Period Begins
Select companies engage in a pilot demonstrating technology at scale.
Information Session
JANUARY 30, 2025 AT 1:00 PM ET
Learn more about the Transit Tech Lab, the application process, and hear from transit agency subject matter experts.
Resources
PANYNJ:
MTA:
Terms & Conditions
Please review our Terms & Conditions which govern participation in the Transit Tech Lab.
Access to decision makers
As an entrepreneur, your time is valuable. We understand that you need quick product feedback and access to customers. The Transit Tech Lab facilities introductions to decision makers and cuts through red tape.
Transparent structure
We enable testing with large, hard to reach public sector customers and provide a transparent structure with accelerated go/no-go decisions.
Scalable results
If you can make it in New York City, you can make it anywhere. Participating in the Transit Tech Lab gives your company global credibility to scale your product.
