https://trello.com/b/eBpW34QS/longhaul-app
http://longhaul1.herokuapp.com
#Back-End
Node.js
PostgreSQL
Sequelize
Express
GTFS (Google Real Time Data Feed)
Passport
JSON Web Tokens
Mocha
Chai
Jasmine
Karma
#Front-End
Angular
Ionic
Sass
Cordova
HTML5/CSS3
The idea for the project came from Brian's direct experience of riding the bus to downtown Denver from Northglenn. He wanted to turn that commute into more productive time, or perhaps a nap. Starting with the idea of an alarm clock based on real-time GPS data, we started looking at how to accomplish that. Luckily, Google provides data streams of real-time GPS locations on all the buses in the RTD sysem. They use the data in Google Maps, but they make it available. Much research and testing went into processing that datastream to make it useful. In addition, we looked into other apps that may do the same thing. There are several competitors providing apps designed to be used in-transit:
Transit app - https://transitapp.com/. Mainly useful for seeing when the next bus or train is departing. Not useful for when it arrives.
RTD NextRide - https://www.rtd-denver.com/app/nextride . Again, mainly useful for determining when a bus or train will arrive at the stop you are waiting at. Not useful for predicting arrival time.
Transit Tracker app - https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/transit-tracker-denver/id836324637?mt=8. I can't even tell what this app is intending to do because the interface is mystifying.
Swiftly app https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.swyftapp.free&hl=en Some confusion as to whether it actually uses realtime data to show bus locations. Designed mainly to show best/cheapest/most efficient ways to travel, not just public transit. It works in several cities but doesn't work the same way in each city. No alarm function.
Based on our research, it was c lear that our app needed to focus on two things - real time data for accurate predictions, and the ability to set an alarm based on that data.
The plan for this app is eventually deployment to the iOS and Android app stores. We believe that the app provides a unique usefulness for the c onsumer. Currently we are working on testing the app's abilities to use the native functions of the phone.
Chad Keeven - release engineer, scrum master Mark Rosenberg - Front end engineer Brian Byers - Back end engineer Jason Cox - Front end developer Morgan Keenan - Ux Consulting
We've built an app to help those who use mass transit to get around. When you're riding a bus, either early in the morning or after a long day, it would be great to watch a show, read a book, or get some much-needed shuteye before you arrive at your destination. The problem with this is either you have to keep one eye on where you are at all times, or miss your stop. You could set an alarm, but if there is no traffic or too much traffic it becomes ineffective. That's where Longhaul comes in. Longhaul takes in real-time bus data, finds your bus and stop, and alerts you when you're 5 minutes from your destination. We hope to remove some of the inconvenience for the long-distance commuters, and entice more people to use mass transit! While they are our target market, we also see great utility in visitors to Denver. If they are not native speakers or not used to traveling by bus, they can get some much needed assistance in knowing which stop is theirs, alleviating some of their stress in an unknown environment.