Transitmix, an online tool for sketching out and testing fantasy transit routes, has evolved beyond its original mass appeal to become a trusted tool for transportation planners around the country.
Eric Jaffe follows up on the "design-your-own-bus-route tool called Transitmix" released last summer. The mass appeal of the product is producing a trove of crowd-sourced data about how people would improve their city's transit if they could: "In six months since the beta version launched," reports Jaffe, "users have created some 50,000 transit maps in 3,600 cities around the world."
The popularity of the tool, coupled with a strong positive response from professional transportation planners, led the makers of Transitmix to launch the online tool as a new business. According to Jaffe, last month "Transitmix launched a customizable 'pro' version the company believes will help transit agencies not only improve their local bus systems but also explain to the public the logic behind these service decisions more clearly."
"The Oregon Department of Transportation has already contracted to use the tool. Hashemi says he's in conversations with up to 80 other agencies to form similar partnerships."
Jaffe goes on to show examples of how Transitmix works as well as insight from Matthew Barnes of Oregon DOT's Rail and Public Transit Division about how ODOT will use the system to model planning scenarios. The final benefit of the Transitmix tool examined by Jaffe's coverage is its potential as a vehicle for public feedback—even in real time. Already, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency is using a modified version of Transitmix for just that purpose.
FULL STORY: The Incredibly Simple Fantasy Bus Route Tool Even the Pros Love
For Sale: Data on 90 Million Bike Rides and 20 Million Runs
The same week that the New York Police Department released a boat load of data about traffic collisions comes news that exercise app Strava will sell its data on the how, where, and when bikers and runners use streets.
San Francisco Muni Raises Fares a Second Time
A 10–cent fare hike for adults is part of the agency’s plan to chip away at a growing budget deficit.
San Francisco’s Muni Ridership Grew in 2024
The system saw its highest ridership since before the Covid-19 pandemic, but faces a severe budget shortage in the coming year.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.
The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.
Trump Approves Futuristic Automated Texas-Mexico Cargo Corridor
The project could remove tens of thousands of commercial trucks from roadways.
Austin's First Single Stair Apartment Building is Officially Underway
Eliminating the requirement for two staircases in multi-story residential buildings lets developers use smaller lots and more flexible designs to create denser housing.
Atlanta Bus System Redesign Will Nearly Triple Access
MARTA's Next Gen Bus Network will retool over 100 bus routes, expand frequent service.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)