What the future of mass transit will look like

With the staggering amount of innovation going on in the world of autonomous vehicles (aka self-driving cars), we imagined scenarios where innovation could improve on a different, pre-existing infrastructure.

While Hyperloop One will (hopefully) revolutionize train travel as we know it—cutting down travel times and linking cities like never before—any sort of operational system isn’t expected until 2020. As impatient designers, we wanted to find ways we could improve upon the systems we have available to us at present. We asked: What if there were improvements to city transportation systems—namely trains and subways—we could implement now?

Below, you’ll find five innovation areas that could start making your ride more enjoyable in the not-so-distant future.

Augmented Reality as an intelligent guide

Augmented Reality is already being utilized to develop early-stage holographic navigation for cars. It could similarly enhance mass transit by providing all riders with relevant information in the form of an intelligent guide. See how >>>

Safer journeys for kids through built-in sensors

The tracking potential offered by smart devices has already been leveraged in industries like fitness and retail via RFID and beacon technology. The same technology could act as a communication tool between parents and kids, making for safer trips on public transportation. See how >>>

Data curbs overcrowding to make transit fully responsive

Although most mass transit schedules respond to peak traffic times, they do so in static ways that don’t account for real-time crowd changes. By leveraging real-time rider data, we could eliminate rush hour and tailor schedules to fit real-time commuter needs. See how >>>

Flexible currencies offer a seamless ticketing experience

Ticketing alternatives are already in use in the private sector (e.g. fast-track lanes at airports) and the emergence of alternative payment systems (e.g. bitcoin payment, charity work to offset transit costs, etc.) could inspire new ways for consumers to afford mass transit while giving back. The overall ticketing experience could be improved if we combined new technology and alternative payment systems. See how >>>

Digital workspace reshapes the commute

Productivity and leisure have already been integrated with travel at a basic level (e.g. wifi and in-flight entertainment systems on airplanes). Mixed Reality has the potential to create on-the-go work and play spaces for riders anywhere and could change the way we view our commute. See how >>>

To learn more about Moment’s explorations, head to our Future of Transportation page.