MetroHero
GPL-3.0 |
MetroHero is a semi-defunct real-time
The app launched in 2015, followed by ARIES for Transit, a related project from the same developers, and continued functioning until its original developers shut it down in 2023. Afterwards, forks of the application went live to allow for its continued public use, and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), Metro's operator, announced that it would launch a similar app. The app has been described by local news media as popular and well-liked among Washington, D.C.-area residents.
History and main development
MetroHero was initially developed by James and Jennifer Pizzurro, who both attended George Washington University and studied computer science.[1][2] They said that they were inspired to create the app after experiencing train delays and searching for an app to track a train after boarding;[2] such an app did not exist for the Washington Metro.[3] The development of the app was not endorsed by WMATA, but it did use publicly available data from the agency.[1]
MetroHero launched as an
Throughout the application's development, the Pizzurros had been advocates for Metro's transparency with riders and the community by providing more high-quality data and taking on the feedback of developers. In particular, they criticized Metro's reluctance to uniquely identify individual train trips and its decision to obscure data under certain circumstances, which have posed problems for MetroHero's data collection.[1]
In addition to their work on MetroHero, the app's developers led or participated in other initiatives related to transit in the Greater Washington area. In 2019, MetroHero partnered with a local transit group to analyze Metrobus data and publish a "Metrobus Report Card", along with proposed goals and recommendations based on the report's findings.[4] Based on this experience, MetroHero's developers began a sister project, the Adherence + Reliability + Integrity Evaluation System for Transit (ARIES for Transit), which displays data and issues grades for Washington- and Baltimore-area transit systems.[3][5][6] Separately, James Pizzurro used MetroHero data to inform Rail Transit OPS, an independent Metro oversight group, and assist in its documentation of Metro system incidents.[7]
Application
The MetroHero application uses several interfaces, including an overall
MetroHero uses several data sources for the various components of its application. Train positions and other operational data are provided by WMATA as part of its initiative to release open data for third-party developers.
In addition to the web app, Android app, and iOS app, MetroHero's initial developers maintained automated social media accounts that alerted customers about Metro service; these accounts were discontinued upon the original app's eventual shutdown.[5] MetroHero also hosts archived performance data for later review, a feature that is sometimes used after major incidents.[3][7]
Shutdown and future
In February 2023, James Pizzurro announced that MetroHero would be shut down on July 1, 2023, citing "positive changes ... in the app landscape and in WMATA's data management and communication" and the costs and time associated with maintaining the app.[3][5] Shortly before the application's end date, the Pizzurros shared MetroHero's source code on GitHub, which prompted others to fork the code and begin maintaining new instances of MetroHero to succeed the original app. The original website went offline on July 1, as planned.[5]
Historically, WMATA has not offered its own real-time map or similar service, citing other apps from third parties which accomplished the same task.[1][a] However, on June 30, 2023, Randy Clarke, WMATA's general manager, announced that Metro would begin offering a similar service as MetroHero did.[5][8] The app, initially named MetroMeter, was planned to begin operating in early July and would provide real-time information on trains, headways, and service schedules. Metro also noted its intentions to extend this service to Metrobus and MetroAccess.[5] On July 20, Metro announced that the app had been renamed to MetroPulse and launched it in beta.[9]
MetroHero's other project, ARIES for Transit, was not affected by the shutdown.[5]
Reception
MetroHero was generally well-received and has been recognized for its usage among Washington-area commuters.
Notes
- ^ Metro has offered web apps to track an individual rider's previous trips, but these did not provide live tracking.
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Siddiqui, Faiz (February 13, 2016). "How developers are trying to keep Metro honest using its own data". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on March 25, 2023. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g Dynes, Matt (April 30, 2018). "Alumni develop app that alleviates train troubles, provides unique train scheduling". The GW Hatchet. Vol. 115, no. 1. Hatchet Publications. Archived from the original on November 27, 2022. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
- ^ DCist. WAMU 88.5. Archivedfrom the original on July 6, 2023. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
- WAMU 88.5. Archivedfrom the original on July 6, 2023. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
- ^ WTOP News. Archivedfrom the original on July 6, 2023. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
- ^ "Frequently Asked Questions". ARIES for Transit. Archived from the original on July 6, 2023. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
- ^ a b Siddiqui, Faiz (January 5, 2016). "On Metro, rail enthusiasts fill communications void for riders". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on December 2, 2021. Retrieved August 9, 2023.
- ^ "Metro launching MetroMeter, a new real-time rail service tracking tool". Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. June 30, 2023. Archived from the original on July 6, 2023. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
- ^ @wmata (July 20, 2023). "We're beta launching #MetroPulse (previously MetroMeter), an interactive web tool that gives real-time customer info + system performance data. ..." (Tweet). Retrieved August 9, 2023 – via Twitter.