FAQs
FAQs
Still have questions? Contact us at news@transitinnovation.org
Still have questions? Contact us at news@transitinnovation.org
General Questions
How does the Transit Tech Lab work?
How does the Transit Tech Lab work?
Do companies receive compensation for participating in the Transit Tech Lab?
Do companies receive compensation for participating in the Transit Tech Lab?
What are the evaluation criteria for Transit Tech Lab applications?
What are the evaluation criteria for Transit Tech Lab applications?
Program Questions
Who is eligible to apply for the Transit Tech Lab?
Who is eligible to apply for the Transit Tech Lab?
Does an applicant have to be a U.S. corporation?
Does an applicant have to be a U.S. corporation?
What is the application process for the Transit Tech Lab like?
What is the application process for the Transit Tech Lab like?
How many companies will be selected for the Lab?
How many companies will be selected for the Lab?
In the best case scenario how would a pilot benefit the selected startup pilot partners?
In the best case scenario how would a pilot benefit the selected startup pilot partners?
What are the next steps if a pilot is successful?
What are the next steps if a pilot is successful?
What happens in the proof-of-concept phase?
What happens in the proof-of-concept phase?
What is the ideal size and scope of a Transit Tech Lab project?
What is the ideal size and scope of a Transit Tech Lab project?
What is the role of the Transit Tech Lab? How will they support selected participants?
What is the role of the Transit Tech Lab? How will they support selected participants?
Have any previous pilots led to commercial agreements?
Have any previous pilots led to commercial agreements?
Will a technology that takes more than 8 weeks validate be excluded from consideration?
Will a technology that takes more than 8 weeks validate be excluded from consideration?
What is the difference between the semi-finalist presentation and the demo day?
What is the difference between the semi-finalist presentation and the demo day?
Can one proposer submit multiple applications for different scopes of work and/or different agencies?
Can one proposer submit multiple applications for different scopes of work and/or different agencies?
Can you share examples of how previous startups were able to take advantage of NYSERDA grant funding during their pilot?
Can you share examples of how previous startups were able to take advantage of NYSERDA grant funding during their pilot?
Is it required for me to be in NYC for the entire duration of the 8-week POC and 12-month pilot?
Is it required for me to be in NYC for the entire duration of the 8-week POC and 12-month pilot?
How would you Introduce a new product to the Transit authority?
How would you Introduce a new product to the Transit authority?
What is your track record of deploying products?
What is your track record of deploying products?
Can participation be in both categories or just one or the other?
Can participation be in both categories or just one or the other?
Who are the judges?
Who are the judges?
What has set apart past years winners of the challenges?
What has set apart past years winners of the challenges?
Which challenges are most important for you to solve?
Which challenges are most important for you to solve?
Are there additional datasets, specifically APC datasets available, that we can use for the challenge? What kind of solutions are you looking for?
Are there additional datasets, specifically APC datasets available, that we can use for the challenge? What kind of solutions are you looking for?
Are technologies that are not centered on physical technologies eligible to apply?
Are technologies that are not centered on physical technologies eligible to apply?
When is NYSERDA funding available to companies?
When is NYSERDA funding available to companies?
Questions From the Information Sessions
INFORMATION SESSION 1: FEBRUARY 1, 2024
Customer Experience & Resilience Challenges
In your opinion, what are some of the largest needs to improve your riders' customer experience at bus stops? (shelter, benches, real-time information, security lighting, etc.) What are the largest challenges your agencies are facing in deploying bus stop amenities to improve customer experience? (lack of funding, difficult construction process, permitting, lack of grid power, street space restrictions, etc.
In your opinion, what are some of the largest needs to improve your riders' customer experience at bus stops? (shelter, benches, real-time information, security lighting, etc.) What are the largest challenges your agencies are facing in deploying bus stop amenities to improve customer experience? (lack of funding, difficult construction process, permitting, lack of grid power, street space restrictions, etc.
Is there a specific Network Improvement solution that MTA is looking in for as a core backbone, wayside and onboard
Is there a specific Network Improvement solution that MTA is looking in for as a core backbone, wayside and onboard
Are any of the participating agencies working with any computer vision companies?
Are any of the participating agencies working with any computer vision companies?
What priority is given to community engagement in your various objectives and plans for 2024?
What priority is given to community engagement in your various objectives and plans for 2024?
During our proposal/applications, where can we get data regarding your bus fleets - emissions, usage, equipment onboard etc.?
During our proposal/applications, where can we get data regarding your bus fleets - emissions, usage, equipment onboard etc.?
Recognizing that procurement is agency-specific, but do the agencies ever collaborate on purchases — i.e. to make advance market commitments on raw materials (like ultra-low carbon concrete)? This would help producers plan for large-scale, more cost-effective production.
Recognizing that procurement is agency-specific, but do the agencies ever collaborate on purchases — i.e. to make advance market commitments on raw materials (like ultra-low carbon concrete)? This would help producers plan for large-scale, more cost-effective production.
Do the on-site workers (crews, stations) have any communication tools such as smartphones and tablets allowed to use during work?
Do the on-site workers (crews, stations) have any communication tools such as smartphones and tablets allowed to use during work?
Is funding available to participate in the program?
Is funding available to participate in the program?
Are parallel efforts ongoing with other transit agencies?
Are parallel efforts ongoing with other transit agencies?
Are you looking for energy storage systems, other than chemical batteries, to keep critical systems functional and electric buses operational during emergency situations?
Are you looking for energy storage systems, other than chemical batteries, to keep critical systems functional and electric buses operational during emergency situations?
Are there any plans to resolve last mile problems for passengers after reaching their station?
Are there any plans to resolve last mile problems for passengers after reaching their station?
What are the benefits of applying with Transit Tech Lab such as partnerships, pilots, and funding?
What are the benefits of applying with Transit Tech Lab such as partnerships, pilots, and funding?
We make small wind turbines with special features like quiet and space efficiency. What would be your ideal use of electricity from them?
We make small wind turbines with special features like quiet and space efficiency. What would be your ideal use of electricity from them?
Can Transit Tech Lab define and clarify what they consider an “early-to-growth-stage company?
Can Transit Tech Lab define and clarify what they consider an “early-to-growth-stage company?
Will companies who leverage sub-contractors or partners be considered equally to companies submitting independently?
Will companies who leverage sub-contractors or partners be considered equally to companies submitting independently?
Our solution has already been successfully tested throughout a few pilots. The technology readiness is high. However, the business case for this technology is still to be explored. Is it a problem for qualifying?
Our solution has already been successfully tested throughout a few pilots. The technology readiness is high. However, the business case for this technology is still to be explored. Is it a problem for qualifying?
Does the MTA and/or its agencies work and partner with companies in Africa?
Does the MTA and/or its agencies work and partner with companies in Africa?
Does the solution that we propose need to be used in practice with a current client of ours? Or can it be a work in progress with no real-world application yet?
Does the solution that we propose need to be used in practice with a current client of ours? Or can it be a work in progress with no real-world application yet?
How do you handle confidentiality - will folks be signing NDA’s etc ?
How do you handle confidentiality - will folks be signing NDA’s etc ?
Where do customers interact with system representatives?
Where do customers interact with system representatives?
Are there specific areas of business that might not want to be touched? (operation command control, ticketing system… etc)
Are there specific areas of business that might not want to be touched? (operation command control, ticketing system… etc)
Do companies need to have SOC-2 certification?
Do companies need to have SOC-2 certification?
What types of technologies are you seeking for “cleanliness”? Specific tool, sensing technologies, or cleaners allocation (routing optimization?), etc.
What types of technologies are you seeking for “cleanliness”? Specific tool, sensing technologies, or cleaners allocation (routing optimization?), etc.
Can you tell us what collaboration tools / software tools are currently used by MTA/Port Authority? (Slack, teams, WhatsApp, etc…)
Can you tell us what collaboration tools / software tools are currently used by MTA/Port Authority? (Slack, teams, WhatsApp, etc…)
Can the participating agencies provide access to their cameras?
Can the participating agencies provide access to their cameras?
Does our company need to get certified as an SBE/DBE/Minority owned company in NY/NJ to participate?
Does our company need to get certified as an SBE/DBE/Minority owned company in NY/NJ to participate?
INFORMATION SESSION 2: FEBRUARY 15, 2024
NYCDOT Curb Activity Challenge
How do you handle confidentiality—will folks be signing NDA’s etc ?
How do you handle confidentiality—will folks be signing NDA’s etc ?
Why is high curb lane activity an issue? Is it about road safety, road congestion or something entirely different?
Why is high curb lane activity an issue? Is it about road safety, road congestion or something entirely different?
What do you expect to happen if you do not take action?
What do you expect to happen if you do not take action?
For which parts of NY do you require the solution? The entire city or just parts of the city?
For which parts of NY do you require the solution? The entire city or just parts of the city?
Will these pilot offer any opportunities to automate curb management (I.e. payment, enforcement) or primarily data collection?
Will these pilot offer any opportunities to automate curb management (I.e. payment, enforcement) or primarily data collection?
Will there be any compensation for deploying technology? (Are these expected to be free pilots?)
Will there be any compensation for deploying technology? (Are these expected to be free pilots?)
What would a successful pilot look like at the end of the year? How would the city think about expanding successful pilots?
What would a successful pilot look like at the end of the year? How would the city think about expanding successful pilots?
Who are the primary “customers” for lack of a better word that we’re trying to solve for?
Who are the primary “customers” for lack of a better word that we’re trying to solve for?
Our solution has already been successfully tested throughout a few pilots including one in Brooklyn. The technology readiness is high. However the business case for this technology (dynamic LED road marking) is still to be explored. Is it a problem for qualifying?
Our solution has already been successfully tested throughout a few pilots including one in Brooklyn. The technology readiness is high. However the business case for this technology (dynamic LED road marking) is still to be explored. Is it a problem for qualifying?
What is the future of camera technology to enforce general parking & loading zone infractions, including the ability to mail notices of violations?
What is the future of camera technology to enforce general parking & loading zone infractions, including the ability to mail notices of violations?
Is NYC DOT pursuing SMART grant funding and how are the cities curb inventory and curb use of data collection and management efforts integrated with Open Mobility Foundation and the Curb Data Specification?
Is NYC DOT pursuing SMART grant funding and how are the cities curb inventory and curb use of data collection and management efforts integrated with Open Mobility Foundation and the Curb Data Specification?
Regarding the overall ask of this project, what is in place now providing data or a similar solution, or is this the first time for a request to review curb management analytics?
Regarding the overall ask of this project, what is in place now providing data or a similar solution, or is this the first time for a request to review curb management analytics?
Has NYC DOT worked with any computer vision companies to address curb activity?
Has NYC DOT worked with any computer vision companies to address curb activity?
When DOT thinks about the curb, what spaces does that include?
When DOT thinks about the curb, what spaces does that include?
What concerns do you have about PII? Who is responsible for protecting PII within the NYC government?
What concerns do you have about PII? Who is responsible for protecting PII within the NYC government?
What have been some of the existing barriers you all have faced when digitally mapping your curb inventory?
What have been some of the existing barriers you all have faced when digitally mapping your curb inventory?
Are there challenges getting hardware sensors set up on existing infrastructure with permits (e.g., street light poles and traffic signal poles)? Are their issues finding sites with 24/7 power sources?
Are there challenges getting hardware sensors set up on existing infrastructure with permits (e.g., street light poles and traffic signal poles)? Are their issues finding sites with 24/7 power sources?
What are your biggest challenges related to curb occupancy?
What are your biggest challenges related to curb occupancy?
Given the volume of delivery companies/services across the city, have you leveraged the use of any proprietary data they collect across their platforms?Would they be willing to share information?
Given the volume of delivery companies/services across the city, have you leveraged the use of any proprietary data they collect across their platforms?Would they be willing to share information?
Is the challenge restricted to data collection/analysis/management, i.e. IT/software/app-related technologies, or can it also include “hardware” like bicycle storage options, etc.?
Is the challenge restricted to data collection/analysis/management, i.e. IT/software/app-related technologies, or can it also include “hardware” like bicycle storage options, etc.?
The overall scope of the program seems to be focused on exploring innovative new technologies. Are companies that do not deliver technology but primarily deliver consulting services eligible?
The overall scope of the program seems to be focused on exploring innovative new technologies. Are companies that do not deliver technology but primarily deliver consulting services eligible?
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