STOP-2.0

Visit our websites

Visit our website in english: http://stop20hack.wix.com/stop-en Nettisivut suomeksi: http://stop20hack.wix.com/stop

Inspiration

The existing public transport doesn't pay enough attention to different special needs groups such as the visually impaired, children or the elderly. We want Helsinki to be the city where the people can use public transport smoothly regardless of age or capability. Currently, it is very difficult for visually impaired people to get the right bus to stop, especially during rush hour or if the bus is late. On the other hand, children can easily panic if they are not familiar with the route and the info screen with stop names is missing or faulty.

What it does

The main purpose of the STOP 2.0 is to allow the traveller to give information for the driver about their wish to stop the bus. The application uses small iBeacon Bluetooth transmitters for location. Both the buses and the stops have iBeacon transmitters, so the user is able to identify the beacon and ask the bus to stop on the right place: either from the bus stop for the approaching vehicle or from inside the bus.

STOP 2.0 makes use of the new driver's devices of Helsinki Region Transport (https://www.hsl.fi/en/newdevices/forprosessionals). The driver's device is a computer for the driver that supplies real-time information about the traffic and locations of the other vehicles on the same route. STOP 2.0 is integrated into the driver's device to notify the driver about the need to stop at a certain bus stop.

How I built it

Github link: https://github.com/UMTti/stop-2.0

The system is based on iBeacon Bluetooth transmitters installed in each bus stop and bus. iBeacon is used to detect if the user is at the stop or in the bus. User's device connects to iBeacon via Bluetooth using a Python app. User doesn't have to do anything related to iBeacons, the app does it. We have a Python Flask server providing REST API in heroku. Users' and bus drivers' client apps communicate with it.

Challenges I ran into

We tried first to do a very complicated software including Android app and SQL database. We had to simplify our software during the hackathon. The more complex parts can be implemented later.

Accomplishments that I'm proud of

We are proud that our idea really helps visually impaired and the children. We are also proud that we made Python Flask server, REST api and UI in such a short hackathon time.

What I learned

We learned team work, service design, Python server programming, HSL-UI styling according to hsl.fi/tyyliopas and a bit of Android coding.

What's next for Stop2.0

We would like to see our idea in production in public transport! Bus drivers are going to have devices called "Kuljettajapääte" (https://www.hsl.fi/uudetlaitteet/ammattilaisille) this year, so our bus driver's view can be integrated to it. Also it's been discussion about iBeacons coming to the bus stops. If we get resources and support from HSL and Reittiopas dev, we or someone else can implement our idea to production level.