Mobile technology influences transportation industry

Over the past 20 years, the transportation industry has come a long way. With the increase in population, the advancement of technology, and the growth of transit – we’ve seen a huge change in how we move. In today’s installment of picks of the week, we’ve not only pulled interesting pieces on the transit industry, but how exactly it’s influencing the way we move and our entire experience.

Enjoy the latest from the Passport team:

Mobile parking app aims to solve parking experience

With the recent launch of New Haven’t mobile parking app, GoNewHaven, the city aims to provide a seamless experience for users. The app not only offers in-app payment for parking, but users can also extend, manage, and even pay for citations all through the mobile app. In the Age of Convenience, being able to provide users with the functionality to complete everyday tasks. “Most importantly for us is getting a technology partner, Passport, in on the ground floor with our parking,” said Doug Hausladen, City Transit Chief. The city has partnered with Passport, currently they utilize Passport’s citation management platform.

Car ads didn’t used to be so bleh. They were serious art.

Before the days of social media, commercials, and “snackable” content, there were frame-worthy car ads. Yes, frame-worthy. Instead of throwing an ad together, artists spent weeks and months perfecting their craft and illustrating each individual ad. Brochures, print ads, magazines, and more were packed with illustrations of cars.  These ads weren’t just trying to sell a car, but rather, sell a dream. Think about it. “An automaker could convince you that you were smart, a good spouse, and a hero to your kids if you picked its car,” said Jim Donnelly, author of Automobile Design Graphics.

Transit Maps: Apple vs. Google vs. US

Transit maps are everywhere – whether you notice or not, they might even be engrained in your head. You get on the light rail and without even thinking, know you need to get off the third stop for work. Regardless if you’re taking the metro for a concert or riding the bus to the office, transit maps are part of our cities anatomy. Transit maps connect our communities, neighborhoods, transit routes, and more – they’re part of our life. Ask any transit agency designer, it’s a painful process, one that needs to provide both “beautiful and functional” designs. Although Google Maps and Apple Maps both aim to accomplish the same goal, they’re very different as far as their designs, features, and more. Find out how they’re both changing the way we move…

Public transit statistics: 20 years impacts industry

Over the past 20 years, the transit industry has changed. Drastically. Let’s rewind to the “Omnibus” – we’ve come a long way. As mobile payment technology makes its grand entrance into the industry, we’re seeing a drastic increase in transit ridership. In the past 20 years, public transit has increased by 37% and it continues to gain momentum as it gains popularity. Over the past two decades, we’re seeing a 20% increase in population, particularly in urban areas. “The increase in population has the power to completely influence the transit industry.”