New York Crowdsourcing Solutions to Subway Challenges—$3 Million in Rewards Offered

James Barron reports on the proceedings of the "Genius Transit Challenge" conference, held in New York City recently and sponsored by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. The challenge "will award three $1 million prizes for the brightest ideas for improving New York City’s subway system," according to Baron.

The first deadline for submissions is Aug. 11. There are three contest categories: for ideas to make the signal system more efficient so more trains could be scheduled; to improve subway cars and find ways that new ones could be delivered faster; and to provide cellular service and Wi-Fi connectivity throughout the system, even in tunnels.

Governor Andrew Cuomo and MTA chairperson Joseph J. Lhota were on hand, urging prospective competition participants to 'think outside the box.' According to Barron, "Mr. Lhota not only used that phrase, but said, 'It’s time to start living outside the box.' He said that 'no idea is too crazy' and that anyone who entered the contest should take a 'completely no-limits approach.'"