How is a context aware solution different to a journey planner?
Do you know how we get information to the right passenger, at the right place, at the right time?
Transport for NSW is inviting innovators to trial context aware solutions that use data, design, and analytics to provide public transport passengers with personalised, real-time information, during unexpected disruptions. Successful ideas receive up to $50,000 in funding and the opportunity to collaborate with experts and test their ideas in a real-world setting. Read on to discover more about context aware solutions and find inspiration for your challenge submission.
Why Context Aware Solutions Go Beyond Journey Planners
When we think of public transport, most of us are familiar with journey planners. These tools are great at helping passengers find the best route from point A to point B, showing options like buses, trains, and walking paths. They do an excellent job of broadcasting dynamic information to everyone about schedules, route options, and travel times.
A context aware solution addresses the growing need for something more tailored, something that adapts to the specific needs of passengers in real time. Unlike journey planners, which are designed to serve a broad audience with travel information, context-aware solutions focus on narrowcasting—delivering the right information to the right passenger at just the right time.
What Makes a Context Aware Solution Different?
While journey planners are highly effective at helping passengers navigate their travel routes, context aware solutions offer a responsive and personalised approach to solving transport challenges. These solutions don’t show you the fastest route—they respond to specific situations based on your environment, preferences, and travel context.
For example, let’s say you’re on your usual bus route, but an emergency causes unexpected delays. A journey planner might still show the best alternative routes available, but a context-aware solution could take it a step further. It could immediately notify you of the growing disruption, suggest alternative modes of transport, and even consider your personal preferences—like avoiding crowded trains or finding an accessible platform for someone with a mobility issue.
The power of context-aware solutions lies in their ability to micro-target passengers. This means providing relevant, actionable information to a smaller group or even an individual based on their unique situation. Whether it’s an unexpected weather change, a cancelled service, or personal needs like travelling with bulky items, context aware solutions are designed to adjust and offer updates that are highly specific to the passenger’s current conditions.
Solutions That Adapt to the Passenger
A context aware solution could, for example, help a cyclist caught in the rain by suggesting nearby bus routes or alternative transport options. Or imagine a parent travelling with a pram—when an elevator at a station is temporarily out of service, the solution could provide real-time guidance to an alternative route that’s more accessible.
This type of solution isn’t about planning a journey ahead of time—it’s about responding to real-time challenges and providing tailored updates in the moment. It’s about helping passengers make decisions on the go, in situations where general travel information might not be enough.
Ready to Submit Your Idea?
The Context Aware Travel Innovation Challenge is looking for solutions that think beyond journey planning. We’re seeking ideas that can narrowcast information, helping passengers navigate disruptions, find more accessible routes, or make personalised travel choices based on their immediate environment.
Your idea shouldn’t replace journey planners—it should complement them by offering dynamic, situation-specific updates that enhance the passenger experience.
With up to $50,000 in funding available for successful applicants, now is the time to bring your innovative ideas to life.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this blog are presented solely for the purpose of fostering innovation, sparking discussion, and inspiring potential solutions. They do not represent the official stance, policies, or endorsements of the organisation.