New York’s Transit Tech Lab has announced the finalists for its COVID-19 Recovery and Environmental Sustainability challenges, which aim to contribute towards improved public transit safety and clean energy objectives.
The ten finalists have been selected from nearly 150 applicants. They each use emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, computer vision, and LiDAR to improve the public transportation experience. The chosen companies will test their products over 8 weeks in partnership with the MTA, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and NJ TRANSIT.
Natalia Quintero, Senior Vice President of Innovation at the Partnership for New York City, said:Public transit is the backbone of the tri-state economy, and its efficacy, safety and resilience are of paramount importance. The Transit Tech Lab is committed to providing cutting edge tools to restore riders’ confidence and support a sustainable future. Previous winners have deployed tools that improve service and the customer experience. We look forward to seeing the results of this year’s program.
The 2022 COVID-19 Recovery finalists are:
- Blyncsy – catalogues roadway infrastructure and conditions, including pavement markings, obstacles, and roadway deterioration to facilitate maintenance
- Clarifai – uses machine learning and computer vision software to identify track intrusions, unsafe behaviour in stations, and passenger flows
- Invision AI, Inc. – uses existing cameras and AI vision systems to create a real-time 3D digital twin of a transit station
- Quanergy – uses LiDAR hardware paired with analytic software to provide a digital twin of any space, which can report unsafe behaviour, offer object detection, and monitor passenger flow
- Zensors Inc. – uses artificial intelligence to capture actionable data from existing hardware and cameras to provide operations visibility and address problems such as overcrowding and fare evasion
The Environmental Sustainability finalists are:
- Gridmatrix – uses software to interpret video footage on roads, enabling agencies to understand traffic patterns, unsafe intersections, and emissions
- Microgrid Labs Inc. – enables planning for a fast, smooth and cost-effective transition to electric fleets through SaaS-based modelling, simulation, and optimisation software
- Runwise Inc. – uses wireless technology and web-based software to operate heating and water systems more efficiently and help cut utility costs
- StormSensor – provides cost-effective stormwater/climate-data and analytics to prevent flooding, simplify monitoring, and streamline maintenance and response
- The Mobility House – enables intelligent integration of electric vehicles with the grid while minimising charging costs
Michael Wojnar, Senior Advisor for Innovation and Policy at the MTA, said:Partnering with the Transit Tech Lab finalists gives the MTA the opportunity to evaluate innovative approaches to MTA’s top priorities and challenges as laid out by the Chair earlier this year. Limiting track intrusion, increasing safety in stations, building more resilient infrastructure, and improving the efficiency of electric vehicle charging will be important issues for the MTA in 2022 and for years to come. We are excited to see what these firms have to offer, and we thank the Transit Tech Lab for introducing them to us.
The Transit Tech Lab was established by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and the Partnership for New York City to help improve public transit through private sector innovations.
