draft plan

Civic Analytic & Urban Intelligence Group Project: A technical solution to public safety issue for NYC transportation system Draft

Executive summary This paper explores the 511 New York (511NY) service, led by New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) through three key lenses: Leadership pf NYSDOT, Purpose/Strategy of 511NY, and Suggestion and Solution for Personal Safety Concern. (These following sections will describe the organizational structure of the offices in DOT which run 511NY service; the purpose and partnership of 511NY; our suggestions for improvements in 511NY)

Vision A communication-based friendship network added in 511NY could facilitate a safer New York State public transportation system.

Background  Current Situation: Currently, daily subway ridership is only 42 percent of what it

was before the COVID-19 pandemic. Fear of crime and harassment on trains deters people from taking the train, which hurts the city's economy and ultimately reflects in financial strain. (How to Increase Public Safety on NYC Subways, 2021)

 Problem: (A brief introduction about 511NY, and the relationship between 511NY and DOT) 511NY, sponsored and managed by NYSDOT, provides 24/7 traffic and transit information across the New York State via the website, e-mail notification, texts, and calls. The 511NY service benefits commuters, long- distance travelers, tourists, etc. For those who are from other states, the 511NY is still easily accessible whenever they need to commute or travel in New York State.

 However, the public lacks real-time information from other riders about ongoing crimes.

 Response: NYSDOT should develop a friendship network in 511NY website.

Methodology (Introduce the interviews with directors from DOT)

Window of opportunity & Problem Analysis Assessment of Operations  The budget DOT spent on traffic safety does not work for personal safety

concern.  The DOT in on the turning point to becoming an innovative data-driven

department.

Assessment of Public Concern  Personal safety concern is pervasive.

Assessment of Technology  Friendship networks were successfully applied to disaster response networks in

China.

Proposed Solution Proposal (Describe Friendship Networks) A friendship network is easy to build. It could be based on social media, like Twitter, or online collaborative system, like Google Docs. (How the DOT will use it & expected outcomes) A friendship network in 511NY will provide commuters in New York State with a safer environment and equip DOT with a one more real-time data source, which is in line with DOT’s focus.

Management Plan (Describe the champion for this research, existing data centers, and what DOT need to change to support the friendship networks)

Implementation Plan Short-Term Development  Website Integration: Add a new section to the 511NY website and place a link to

the online documentation portal.  User-Interface: layout the interface of Google Docs.

Long-Term Development  Phased implementation: A one-month pilot program will need to be implemented

first to closely monitor the successes, failures, and challenges of the pilot results.  Community participation: Increasing the value of the Friendship Network's use

requires increased participation from different communities.

Partnership A friendship network introduced will benefit DOT’s partnership. The partnership with many organizations and companies reflects the tendency of DOT to work through

collaboration.

Looking Ahead Friendship networks would make the NYSDOT a national leader in contributing to personal transportation safety issues and help create a safer New York State. Friendship network-based applications will diversify DOT's services and bring more benefits to DOT's partnerships with other companies.

Individual Work

Works Cited How to Increase Public Safety on NYC Subways. (2021, June 30). Manhattan Institute. https://www.manhattan-institute.org/how-increase-public-safety-nyc- subways