My project, tentatively titled "The PATH of PATH" is designed to be a software used on mobile phones (predominantly iOS and Android devices) that allows one to navigate the Port Authority Trans-Hudson subway system easier and with more efficiency. It will include amenities such as train timetables, directions to get from one station to another, directions on how to enter and exit the station, and even certain facts about the system to entertain one's commute. I will use a mobile development software and my coding background in HTML/CSS and Python in order to create this application. I will develop a prototype first based on the 33rd Street PATH station and if it is successful, I will expand it to the other twelve stations in the system. It will also have voice assistance so that those who are blind can use the app as well. There will be no GPS functionality in my app as it is not necessary to provide directions. People will simply choose from a list of stations as their starting point and ending point. Inside the station for directions, it will simply have a list of directions. For the visually impaired, it will have voice assistance that will read out the directions similar to Siri. I will attempting to do this project alone.
In terms of licensing, I might need to ask for the license to use the PATH logos and to take pictures of the PATH train system in order to use them in the app for certain functions like directions and fun facts. The licensing is simple, as I just have to shoot them an e-mail about taking pictures in their system in order to comply with their bylaws as currently, I need a PATH employee's approval to take pictures of the PATH system. I would also need a mobile app development software such as Surge Forward or Tibco. Surge Forward is an app development corporation that would help me achieve this, and they offer price estimates in order to help me do so. I would need funds for this as I need to buy these mobile development softwares. Other people have done something similar for the New York City Subway, but no one has ever done it for PATH. What I mean is that other people have made guides to the New York City Subway in order for people who are unfamiliar with the system to be able to navigate with relative ease. I plan to go more in depth with the PATH system with things like fun facts because it is much smaller with 13 stations instead of the 472 of the New York City Subway.
After I get everything set up, I will first try to use the app development tool to make the pages of the app, with each station getting their own page and providing directions to all the other 12 stations in the system. I will start with 33rd Street in order to understand what is necessary to build something like this. My plan for the next 3 weeks is to outline a prototype for the 33rd Street station and try to translate that into code.
Questions for you, and you can have a updated version for your presentation Monday.
ReplyDelete1) I am not sure whether GPS can work inside the station. If not, what's the strategy for your app to perform real-time navigation inside the station (especially for the blind). The real-time navigation is probably the most important feature of your app. Are you going to involve computer vision or some sort of localization technique?
2) Do you have more details about "licensing" procedure?
3) Can you elaborate the workflow of your app development and identify the technology/skills needed for each step in the process?
4) Can you explain in details about the "mobile app development software" you need? Their function/role? The price and terms? Buy a standalone version or subscribe annually?
5) Can you spell out more details of existing similar apps? What are their functions and limitations?
6) Your plan & schedule for the next three weeks?