| Acronym | Meaning |
|---|---|
| HUBS | Smart Mobility Hubs |
| MMTPA | Multimodal Trip Planning Application |
| CPS | Common Payment System |
| FMLM | First Mile/Last Mile |
| COTA | Central Ohio Transit Authority |
| TNC | Transportation Network Company |
The purpose of the HUBS project is to deploy transportation facilities that provide travelers with consolidated transportation amenities such as interactive kiosks, provide access to comprehensive trip-planning tools (via MMTPA/CPS) and real-time transportation information, and are designed to accommodate multiple modes of transit from a single location including bike-share, car-share and mobility providers. These services are particularly useful in the completion of FMLM and multimodal trip options.
Six initial HUBS deployment locations were selected. Five along the Cleveland Avenue Corridor, coinciding with COTA's CMAX service in the Linden Residential District and one in the Easton Commercial District.
The HUBS Facility is the physical site that consolidates the amenities of the HUBS System, which include an interactive kiosk, real-time information displays, pick-up/drop-off areas, bikeshare docks, bike racks, and parking spaces for mobility providers, park and ride, and carshares. Individual HUBS facilities will vary in size, configuration and available services. The following are descriptions of components that may be available at a HUBS facility:
Traveler interactive kiosks will be installed on free standing pylons at HUBS facilities. These kiosks will display real-time travel related information and provide an embedded touch screen display to serve as a direct interface between travelers and the MMTPA/CPS, providing the traveler the ability to plan, schedule and pay for trips using multimodal options available at the HUBS facility, along with additional information and instruction such as directing the traveler to a TNC pickup location.
HUBS facilities will be equipped with public Wi-Fi that will allow a traveler to access the MMTPA/CPS and other transportation information on his or her personal wireless device.
Designated parking spaces will be available at select HUBS locations and allow a traveler the option to complete a segment of his or her trip using a personal vehicle and parking at HUBS facility, where he or she can utilize the HUBS amenities to continue his or her trip using alternate modes of transportation.
Electric vehicle charging stations will be available at some HUBS locations based on the ongoing electrification study by the City of Columbus through the Vulcan grant.
Powered USB ports will be available at the HUBS location to allow travelers to recharge personal electronic devices like cellular phones, tablets, and other wireless devices while planning a trip or waiting for transportation services.
Kiosks will include an emergency call button that, when activated, will send notification of the help request directly to the 911 emergency call center operated by the City of Columbus and initiate an audio connection between the distressed traveler and an operator at the emergency call center. The emergency call button will be a physical button which may be a located on the interactive kiosk pylon or independently at the HUBS facility.
Kiosks will include capability to connect to an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system that will allow travelers to interact with the MMTPA and trip planning tools through use of voice commands. The IVR system is a function of the MMTPA project and where it is described in greater detail.
Real-Time Data Displays will be present at HUBS facilities and will post current transit information, public notifications and other information on kiosk displays and/or on other display monitors at some existing facilities.
A personal wireless device such as a cell phone or tablet may be used at HUBS facilities to access the MMTPA via public Wi-Fi or through a personal data plan. Wi-Fi access may include the development of a HUBS home webpage that displays or provides links to real-time information that will be displayed on kiosk screens at the HUBS facility. Additionally, trip confirmation codes and other trip information may be sent to the personal wireless device upon traveler request and used to gain access to TNC’s or to unlock bikes at bike-sharing docks.
Loading zones will be available at HUBS locations in the form of pull off lanes and/or parking spaces located away from travel lanes that will allow safe transfer of passengers between modes of transportation. These zones will primarily be used for mobility providers and will be clearly marked with signage and pavement markings.
Designated zones will be established for parking dockless devices such as scooters, electric bikes, etc. to prevent interference between this rapidly increasing mode of transportation and other services offered at the HUBS facilities.
This project was created by Jesse Mathews and the EDA team for the SCODE Meetup on November 6th, 2018. SCODE is community driven group dedicated to improving lives in Columbus through open data, technology, and education.
It was created using:
The Smart Columbus Operating System features an Open Data Platform, which provides anytime access to the city’s latest mobility data.
For updates on the Smart Mobility Hubs project, visit the Smart Columbus Playbook. Playbook is a platform for sharing what Smart Columbus is doing, what they’ve learned and how other cities can do it, too.