Back in 2008 I submitted a similar idea to Google for their 10^100 idea fest. It goes a step farther in that not only do you get directions from your phone, but the buses are re-routed dynamically, in real time, to optimize travel times. Think of your phone as a fancy elevator call button—you use it to summon a bus but furthermore the central routing computer knows where you are and where you want to go. The buses (er, bus drivers—for now) also get directions from the routing computer.
The 10^100 deal seemed to just quietly fizzle. I never heard back anything, and I'm not sure they ever picked any projects to run with. FWIW, here's the submission.
10. What one sentence best describes your idea? (maximum 150 characters)
Bring the bus system into the new millennium.
11. Describe your idea in more depth. (maximum 300 words)
The goal is to revamp the municipal bus system by using a little technology. The key ideas are:
a. Riders use their cell phones as a kind of "elevator call button." Using an Android app, they tell a central computer where they are (possibly automatic with GPS) and where they want to go.
b. There are no fixed routes. A central computer is continuously processing requests and sending routing information to the bus fleet in real time.
c. Riders are given instructions, via their phone, as to where to go to catch which bus, and where to get off.
d. Integration with Google Maps is an obvious win!
12. What problem or issue does your idea address? (maximum 150 words)
Current bus systems are underutilized because of long wait times and because most riders don't know the routes well enough to feel comfortable.
13. If your idea were to become a reality, who would benefit the most and how? (maximum 150 words)
The biggest beneficiary would be those who want to ride the but but don't now because of route unfamiliarity and long wait times. All commuters would benefit from the decrease in traffic and pollution.
14. What are the initial steps required to get this idea off the ground? (maximum 150 words)
At first, a simulation to demonstrate the effectiveness of the new model. Then, a pilot city to give it a real spin.
15. Describe the optimal outcome should your idea be selected and successfully implemented. How would you measure it? (maximum 150 words)
The desired outcome is an increase in ridership and fewer cars on the road. A straightforward metric is a simple rider count.
18. If you'd like to recommend a specific organization, or the ideal type of organization, to execute your plan, please do so here. (maximum 50 words)
I think you'll be happy to hear that not only has this idea been worked on starting much earlier than 2008, but I was part of a group to implement this for a city in the US. Service is scheduled to start later this year.
As it turns out - many of the hurdles are non-technical, especially without many examples of pre-existing systems to base it off of.
In smaller cities, buses are frequently on demand service, rather than planned routes (In Michigan, there are many county transit authorities, _ATAs, that do this). It's because they don't have the ridership to support planned routes.
There must be some tension between point to point service and having each passenger walk a few minutes, where the walking ends up saving time, even if it doesn't seem like it.
The 10^100 deal seemed to just quietly fizzle. I never heard back anything, and I'm not sure they ever picked any projects to run with. FWIW, here's the submission.
10. What one sentence best describes your idea? (maximum 150 characters)
Bring the bus system into the new millennium.
11. Describe your idea in more depth. (maximum 300 words)
The goal is to revamp the municipal bus system by using a little technology. The key ideas are:
a. Riders use their cell phones as a kind of "elevator call button." Using an Android app, they tell a central computer where they are (possibly automatic with GPS) and where they want to go. b. There are no fixed routes. A central computer is continuously processing requests and sending routing information to the bus fleet in real time. c. Riders are given instructions, via their phone, as to where to go to catch which bus, and where to get off. d. Integration with Google Maps is an obvious win!
12. What problem or issue does your idea address? (maximum 150 words)
Current bus systems are underutilized because of long wait times and because most riders don't know the routes well enough to feel comfortable.
13. If your idea were to become a reality, who would benefit the most and how? (maximum 150 words)
The biggest beneficiary would be those who want to ride the but but don't now because of route unfamiliarity and long wait times. All commuters would benefit from the decrease in traffic and pollution.
14. What are the initial steps required to get this idea off the ground? (maximum 150 words)
At first, a simulation to demonstrate the effectiveness of the new model. Then, a pilot city to give it a real spin.
15. Describe the optimal outcome should your idea be selected and successfully implemented. How would you measure it? (maximum 150 words)
The desired outcome is an increase in ridership and fewer cars on the road. A straightforward metric is a simple rider count.
18. If you'd like to recommend a specific organization, or the ideal type of organization, to execute your plan, please do so here. (maximum 50 words)
I think Google would be an ideal implementer.