New York Transit Agencies Launch Tech Lab Round

Marin Howell February 9, 2022February 10, 2022 MTA, New Jersey Transit, New York, New York City, New York City Wired, port authority

A group of five New York City transit agencies announced in January that they are launching the fourth round of Transit Tech Lab, an initiative that seeks technological solutions to challenges facing the city’s transportation system. The fourth round will include two competitions, focused on finding solutions to low ridership on public transit and sustainability concerns.

The Transit Tech Lab was created in 2018 as part of the Transit Innovation Partnership. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and the Partnership for New York City created the tech lab in order to help push New York City toward being a global leader in public transportation.

The tech lab is currently seeking applicants for two competitions, the Recovery Challenge and the Sustainability Challenge.

The Recovery Challenge seeks to solve the problem of low ridership and commuters’ reluctance to utilize the city’s public transportation. The tech lab is looking for technological solutions or other approaches to meet commuters’ needs and ensure the safety of both riders and employees.

The Sustainability Challenge aims to solve the issue of making public transportation more resilient to extreme weather conditions and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Solutions to these challenges will find ways to help the city’s public transit system reach state and federal goals for reducing the area’s carbon footprint.

The applications for these two challenges will be reviewed by representatives from each of the five transit agencies. The agencies involved in the tech lab are the MTA, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, NJ TRANSIT, the New York City Department of Transportation and the Partnership for New York City. Applicants that are chosen to move forward will then begin a proof of concept process over an eight week period.

All applications for the fourth round of the Transit Tech Lab are due by March 25.

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