Transit agencies in major cities have begun opening their data to encourage software developers to build applications that help riders, though some agencies are more reluctant than others. Open data policies aim to improve public services and make cities more efficient, but agencies must ensure developers have sustainable models and respect privacy and branding. The document discusses challenges and opportunities in the open data and transit information space.

1. Francisca M Rojas @urbanfran francisca_rojas@hks.harvard.edu
Transparency Policy Project !@sunshinepolicy !www.transparencypolicy.net
Harvard Kennedy School
September 22, 2011

2. 1. Ann Arbor, MI
2. Arvada, CO
3. Atlanta
4. Baltimore
5. Boston
6. Chicago
7. Portland, OR
8. San Francisco
9. Seattle, WA
10. Washington DC
http://www.data.gov/opendatasites

3. by the.leafmaker on flickr

4. by Fernando Stankuns on flickr

8. ACTION CYCLE
USER’S PERCEPTIONS
hey, I can use this information
DISCLOSER’S INFORMATION
GTFS files – real time feeds

9. ACTION CYCLE
USER’S PERCEPTIONS USER’S ACTIONS/BEHAVIOR
hey, I can use this information do I take the bus or a taxi?
DISCLOSER’S INFORMATION
GTFS files – real time feeds
by sashafatcat on flickr

10. ACTION CYCLE
USER’S PERCEPTIONS USER’S ACTIONS/BEHAVIOR
hey, I can use this information do I take the bus or a taxi?
DISCLOSER’S INFORMATION
GTFS files – real time feeds
DISCLOSER’S RESPONSE DISCLOSER’S PERCEPTION
Agencies alter practices (improve service?) agencies observe changed behavior

11. ACTION CYCLE
USER’S PERCEPTIONS USER’S ACTIONS/BEHAVIOR
hey, I can use this information do I take the bus or a taxi?
DISCLOSER’S INFORMATION
GTFS files – real time feeds
DISCLOSER’S RESPONSE DISCLOSER’S PERCEPTION
Agencies alter practices (improve service?) agencies observe changed behavior

12. DATA DISCLOSERS
public agency or private party
INFORMATION INTERMEDIARIES
individual developers or groups with tech capacity
END USERS
Individual citizens or user groups

13. PDX
WDC
BOS
NYC
CHI

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16. http://howfuckedisthet.com/orange/

17. > Opening data to customers has been a challenge

18. > Pressure on agencies to make transit data public
Diffusion stage INNOVATOR EARLY LAGGARD
MAJORITY
Agency PDX CHI WDC NYC
BOS
Champion? within techie agency
the agency constituencies leadership

19. > Open data strategy benefits riders and agencies
by Josh Robin and Chris Dempsey, MassDOT. 4.20.2010

20. > Software developers as information intermediaries

21. > Effect on users?
by sashafatcat on flickr

22. • How to make this third-party developer model
sustainable?
• What other information is embedded in our everyday
decision-making about how we use the city?
• How can open data be used to move from transparency
to accountability for improving public services?

23. Francisca M Rojas @urbanfran francisca_rojas@hks.harvard.edu
Transparency Policy Project !@sunshinepolicy !www.transparencypolicy.net
Harvard Kennedy School
September 22, 2011