HereItIs 2023100

The HereItIs application utilizes GSP data from buses and trams provided through an Open Data API from regional transport authorities, displaying real-time information on a map and an accompanying panel showing estimated arrival times for each station. These data updates can occur at any frequency set by the transport regions, currently fixed at every 30 seconds.

The application includes maps necessary for operation in all major cities across the country. Currently active cities with real-time data include:

• Iasi: The application accesses data from an Open Data API in Iasi. However, there are two notable issues: only 90% of vehicles are currently transmitting data due to technical faults, and the API provided by CTP Iasi does not include bus route numbers. Nevertheless, HereItIs has implemented a line detection algorithm that allows 90% of the operational vehicles to appear on the map. CTP Iasi is expected to resolve these issues soon, which will enhance visibility on the map. Passengers can also report vehicle locations using functionalities such as “I have seen/I have left.”
• Oradea: After several months of traffic monitoring, we now display estimated positions for all vehicles in Oradea with an accuracy of under one minute.

The application is operable in other cities where an open API for GPS data exists or where partners are found to promote community engagement around sharing bus location information, including Alba, Arad, Brasov, Bucharest, Cluj, Constanta, Craiova, Ploiesti, Sibiu, Timisoara, and soon Bacau.

Its functionality relies on a combination of data sourced from transport regions and input from the commuting community. The application is free of charge and currently ad-free; users are encouraged to cooperate and share real-time information about bus locations.

The main screen features a city map with a 2 km radius, a search functionality, and a button enabling various user actions. It also offers waiting times for nearby stations based on the user's location. Users can visualize public transport within a 2 km radius but can access further distances through the search component, which allows all selected public transport options to appear on the map regardless of distance. Currently, users can designate up to two "favorite" routes that will be visible citywide upon loading the application.

To share the location of a vehicle, users encounter two scenarios:

1. If the bus/tram I intend to board has not yet been shared on the map by someone else, I press the green button labeled "I have left," select my desired route from the displayed list and choose my direction of travel by sliding left or right.
2. If the bus has already been shared, I simply click on it and press "I have left."

The application includes validation steps to ensure information is only shared if the user is on the correct transport route. When users share a transport's location using "I have left," the application continuously captures their location; conversely, using "I have seen" enables one-time location sharing.

The application requires specific permissions:

• Internet connectivity for receiving live data about public transportation.
• Local storage to save minimal information such as favorite city names and preferred routes.