Applications open for Transit Tech Lab’s challenges with MTA, PANYNJ, NJ TRANSIT and NYC DOT

Today the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, NJ TRANSIT, NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Partnership Fund for New York City launched the seventh annual Transit Tech Lab, which leverages expertise from the global technology sector to improve public transit in the New York metropolitan area. This year’s challenges are calling for tech-driven approaches to support the agencies’ objectives in analyzing ridership and travel demand data in order to improve ridership (“Ridership Improvement Challenge”) as well as optimizing inspections and maintenance (“Inspection and Maintenance Challenge”).

Applications for the two challenges are now open. Interested companies can submit proposals until February 27th, 2025, at: transitinnovation.org.

Representatives from each participating transportation agency will evaluate applications based on the technology’s impact and the applicant’s product, team, and overall value proposition. Selected companies will advance to conduct a proof-of-concept over an eight-week period. If additional testing is needed, the transit agencies may select compelling solutions to participate in a deeper technology test via a pilot to demonstrate scalability.

Ridership Improvement Challenge: How can we accurately measure, capture and improve paid ridership and travel demand data to optimize transit schedules and communicate effectively?

Technologies may include:

• Tools to measure passenger loads on subways, commuter rail roads and buses, understand travel patterns, and optimize scheduling according to paid ridership demand.

• Tools to inform customers and internal staff of service changes, disruptions, crowdedness, and arrival times to optimize navigation of disparate transit systems (buses, subways, trains, paratransit, airports, transit hubs, etc.).

• Tools to automate scenario planning and schedule adjustments with the ability to incorporate an overlay of ridership data, train cycle changes, and loading profiles of trains, as well as train staffing assignments.

• Tools to reduce fare evasion, including fare compliance tools to assist fare inspections.

Inspection and Maintenance Challenge: How can we digitize manual inspections and optimize maintenance processes?

Technologies may include:

• Zero-emission bus specific operations and maintenance tools.

• Data analysis tools to improve maintenance prioritization.

• Hardware to improve physical inspections and manual maintenance processes.

• Tools to help maintain a state of good repair in all facilities.

• 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.

• 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.

• Tools to digitize paper-based processes and streamline workflows.

Stacey Matlen, Vice President of Innovation at the Partnership for New York City, said, “This year we’re focused on harnessing the power of AI and other tech to improve foundational elements of the customer experience like scheduling, communications and system maintenance. We’re excited to collaborate with our partner agencies and forward-thinking technology companies to build a vibrant future that benefits all New Yorkers.”

Jessica Mathew, Senior Advisor for Special Projects, MTA, said, “This year’s Transit Tech Lab challenge creates a unique opportunity to leverage innovative technologies that will support the MTA’s continued focus on growing ridership and maintaining reliable and efficient service. We look forward to exploring new ways to tackle the MTA’s most pressing challenges.”

Rob Galvin, Chief Technology Officer at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, said, “At the Port Authority, our mission is to blend a century of experience with bold, innovative ideas to reimagine what’s possible for the millions who use our infrastructure. We’re excited to continue our partnership with the Transit Tech Lab to unlock creative solutions that will further enhance and optimize our service, communications, and maintenance practices. We’re eager to harness the ingenuity and fresh perspectives of the tech world’s best and brightest to create a safer, smoother, more connected travel experience for everyone across the region.”

“The Transit Tech Lab is a great resource for New York’s next generation of innovators to learn the critical skills needed to solve tomorrow’s transportation challenges, " said New York City Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. "The connections, lessons, and opportunities this program provides are a launchpad for young companies looking to bring cutting edge technology to New York’s transportation landscape.”

This is the seventh challenge cycle for the Transit Tech Lab, a process that has yielded substantial success in advancing technological innovation at New York-area transit agencies. Since the program’s inception in 2018, over 900 companies have applied to participate in the program, 69 companies have tested their technologies, and 37 solutions have commercially scaled or informed commercial procurements.

About the Transit Tech Lab

The Transit Tech Lab (TTL) launched in 2018 in partnership with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to apply new technology solutions to address critical transit challenges. In 2019, the program expanded to include NJ Transit, the NYC Department of Transportation, and the Port Authority of NY and NJ. Graduates of the Lab program include Remix, a collaborative digital platform used to redesign the bus routes; Axon Vibe, designers of the Essential Connector smartphone app to help essential workers plan journeys during overnight subway disinfection closures; and Navilens, whose apps enable visually impaired and limited English proficiency New Yorkers to better navigate the subway and bus systems.

The TTL is part of the Partnership Fund for New York City’s “Technology in the Public Interest” strategy, which aims to invest in companies and programs that advance the application of new technologies to address urban challenges, including helping government agencies deliver services more effectively. In addition to the TTL, the Partnership Fund operates the Environmental Tech Lab (ETL), established in 2023 in partnership with New York City’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), and the Buildings Tech Lab (BTL), launched in 2024 in collaboration with the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB).