MASSDOT DEVELOPERS
Joshua K. Robin
Massachusetts Executive Office of Transportation
Ignite Boston - September 17, 2009
http://www.mass.gov/eot/developers
@massDOTdev
http://www.mass.gov/eot/developers Twitter @MassDOTdev 1

WHAT IS EOT?
• The Massachusetts Executive Office of
Transportation has oversight of:
– MBTA
– MassHighway
– Registry of Motor Vehicles
– Massachusetts Aeronautics Commission
– Regional Transit Authorities
– Massachusetts Turnpike Authority
– Relationship with MassPort
• On November 1, EOT and its agencies become
MassDOT, with four divisions: Highway, Transit,
RMV, Aeronautics
http://www.mass.gov/eot/developers Twitter @MassDOTdev 2

IF YOU TRIED TO BUILD A TRANSPORTATION
APPLICATION 6 MONTHS AGO…
• Beg EOT or one of its agencies for data
• Scrape data yourself
• Jump through hoops to get data in digital formats
– Worry about how that data is kept up to date when
schedules change
• Worry that even when you release a successful
application, EOT/MBTA would object
http://www.mass.gov/eot/developers Twitter @MassDOTdev 3

NEW MODEL: OPEN DATA
• “Open” EOT data by making it available in standard
formats
– RSS, XML, GTFS, etc.
• Harness the power of developers to build
interesting and useful applications with our data
– Creates value for both transportation agencies AND
developers
• Better serve customers across many platforms
http://www.mass.gov/eot/developers Twitter @MassDOTdev 4

EOT DEVELOPERS PAGE BETA
• July 2009, EOT launches the EOT Developers
as a resource to developers interested in
working with transportation data!
http://www.mass.gov/eot/developers
http://www.mass.gov/eot/developers Twitter @MassDOTdev 5

A NEW APPROACH
• In addition to opening data, EOT Developers efforts
strive to engage the developer community in a new
and different way
– A focus on allowing developers to shape the direction
this effort takes
– Monthly meeting with developers
– An open conversation through the MassDOT Developers
Google Group
– Use of Twitter for updates @MassDOTdev
http://www.mass.gov/eot/developers Twitter @MassDOTdev 6

A NEW APPROACH
“This approach is a smart 21st-
century alternative to hiring some
consultant who develops inelegant
software at exorbitant costs.”
Boston Globe, Saturday, September 5, 2009
http://www.mass.gov/eot/developers Twitter @MassDOTdev 7

EOT+DEVELOPERS: RELATIONSHIP PRINCIPLES
•Respect Resources
•Succeed Together
•Expect Change
For the full Relationship Principles Document visit:
http://bit.ly/massdotdevrelationship
http://www.mass.gov/eot/developers Twitter @MassDOTdev 8

EOT+DEVELOPERS: RELATIONSHIP PRINCIPLES
•Communication is key
•Open, open, open
•Legal
– Read the Developers License Agreement:
http://bit.ly/massdotdevdla
http://www.mass.gov/eot/developers Twitter @MassDOTdev 9

WHAT DATA IS AVAILABLE?
• MBTA
– T-Alerts feed
•Service advisories and updates
– GTFS Files
•Files with route and scheduling information
–For Rail, Bus, Subway, Boat
– KML Files
•Station Locations and Routes
• RTAs
– GTFS Files
– Real-time tracking
http://www.mass.gov/eot/developers Twitter @MassDOTdev 10

WHAT DATA IS AVAILABLE?
• MassHighway + Turnpike Authority
– Highway construction events xml feed.
•Feed of planned road closures and other
events.
• Registry of Motor Vehicles
– Branch wait-time feed
• EOT Blog
– News and Updates about EOT
http://www.mass.gov/eot/developers Twitter @MassDOTdev 11

APPS TO DATE
MassTransit: To a T: RMV Wait Times:
http://bit.ly/hmQ2R http://bit.ly/2ajqVt http://tinyurl.com/massrmv
http://www.mass.gov/eot/developers Twitter @MassDOTdev 12

MAKING AN IMPACT
“Open data” does not mean much to most
people…
…but most people want to know when
the bus, train or ferry is going to arrive.
• We need to spread the word about these
applications and open data!
–The more people ask for open data
and transportation applications, the
easier opening more data becomes!
http://www.mass.gov/eot/developers Twitter @MassDOTdev 13

LONG TERM GOAL: REAL TIME
• At this time, most available data is static
data such as routes and schedules
• Long-term, our goal is to make real time data
public
• Many challenges exist
http://www.mass.gov/eot/developers Twitter @MassDOTdev 14

LONG TERM GOAL: REAL TIME
• Real time data on locations and speed of
buses will allow developers to create many
interesting and useful applications
• These applications will create a great
possibility to increase public transportation
use and change the way people use transit
http://www.mass.gov/eot/developers Twitter @MassDOTdev 15

REAL TIME: GETTING THERE
• How we get there: Demonstrate to transportation
officials, leaders in government, stakeholders, and
the public the value of releasing real time data
–This means working together
towards great applications!
http://www.mass.gov/eot/developers Twitter @MassDOTdev 16

WHAT’S NEXT: DEVELOPERS CONFERENCE
• Saturday, November 14th
• Boston Area (Location TBD)
• Opportunity for developers to meet other
developers, transportation officials, and
other interested parties
http://www.mass.gov/eot/developers Twitter @MassDOTdev 17

WHAT’S NEXT: DEVELOPERS CHALLENGE
• The Challenge calls on developers to create both
applications and data visualizations
– Applications for mobile, web, and other formats.
– Visualizations using EOT Developers data to tell the story
of the MBTA.
• The top two submissions will receive prizes and
recognition at the Developers Conference
• The initiative is part of the Patrick Administration’s
commitment to comprehensive transportation
reform and creating a modern, efficient, and
customer-friendly transportation system
http://www.mass.gov/eot/developers Twitter @MassDOTdev 18

BE THE MODEL
• While other agencies and cities have opened
data, we are the first state transportation
department to release open data across all
modes and agencies.
• Together, we can be the model for open data
at other transportation agencies and across
government!
http://www.mass.gov/eot/developers Twitter @MassDOTdev 19

JOIN US/SPREAD THE WORD
• Website: http://www.mass.gov/eot/developers
• Twitter: @massdotdev
• Google Group: http://groups.google.com/group/massdotdevelopers
• Facebook: http://bit.ly/MassDOTdevFaceBook
http://www.mass.gov/eot/developers - Twitter @MassDOTdev 20