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ITFeatureWriteUp

Feature write-up: Check-in/Share Location

Feature write-up: Check-in/Share Location

January 26, 2016 by Administrator

 

The check-in feature lets commuters share their train’s/bus’ location with the Clever Commute network.
Any active user can send a Check-in (steps below).
However, viewing these messages is done exclusively via the app…and is Opt-In only.
Check-ins are not sent out as mails, texts, or push notifications.

 

To Send a Check-InTo View Check-Ins
  1. Open our free app
  2. Select Send An Alert
  3. Set the The Issue to
    Check-In/Share location
    – Other fields are defaulted or derived
    – The geolocation and timestamp are captured
  4. Press Send
  1. Open our free app
  2. Select Recent Alerts
  3. At the top of the page, select the box  for Check-Ins
  4. When you click on the location pin, you will see the location of that alert
    (see pictures below)

CleverCommuteSharedLocation1

 

CleverCommuteSharedLocation2

 

Filed Under: announcements, App, ITFeatureWriteUp

“It’s like Twitter for commuters, right?” Well, kind of…

“It’s like Twitter for commuters, right?” Well, kind of…

January 5, 2016 by Administrator

There are at least 4 very important differences between Clever Commute and Twitter:
(1) We use a variety of technologies (keywords, semantics, patterns, user history, etc.) to ensure the alerts are actionable and appropriate content regarding the in-process commute.
(2) We enrich each message with
– the category of the problem
– the impact on your commute (in minutes)
– the train route and number (and origin/destination)
– the geolocation of the alerts
(3) We eliminate duplicate messages about the same issue
(4) We deliver all messages in real time

 

Please see our best practices for sending an alert to learn more about what makes a message a good message.

The filters are technology-based, so all messages are subject to the same rigor. There are indeed some false positives. and some false negatives. We do our best to resolve those in real-time.
Our robots are there to help ensure a good experience for our commuters, and also to respect our sponsors and other business partners.

Other notes:

  • Sometimes people just want to vent…so we now have a feature for that (See more info here and via our @clevervent Twitter feed)
  • Sometimes people combine helpful info with not-so-helpful info…and we provide guidance on that

Filed Under: admin, examples, ITFeatureWriteUp

How to beat the crowds at Penn Station

How to beat the crowds at Penn Station

August 15, 2014 by Administrator

Here is a fantastic example of how a commuter can use The Inside Track to determine which track their train will be on…before it is announced.

In this scenario, it’s 5:58 PM and the rider is shown the track number for the 6:10 PM…with 92% probability (see disclaimer below).

The transit providers claim to announce trains “10-15 minutes prior to departure.” However, this train (announced 7:47 in advance) represents what we see based on actual data.


This example demonstrates the value we provide. If you were an The Inside Track user on this day you would have known your track assignment…

  • 12 minutes prior to departure time and
  • 2 minutes earlier than NJ Transit announced it!

Disclaimer: This is a real example from the Montclair-Boonton line on September 2, 2014. Probabilities will vary based on a variety of factors…and will change as scheduled departure time nears. Always confirm that you are on the proper train.


Step 1 – [5:56 PM] Arrive at Penn Station

CleverCommuteYouArriveAtPenn
Here is a view of the NJ Transit departure board.

Nope…the train is not posted yet


Step 2 – [5:58 PM] Check The Inside Track

CleverCommuteDepartureBoard

Since we get our departure board data from the transit providers, it’s no surprise that we don’t list the track number yet, either.

But you can click through on that last column…


Step 3 [5:58 PM] – Your Track Number Prediction…with supporting data!

CleverCommuteTrackPredictionDashboard
#1 – Your track prediction!
#2 – Track number history …as a pie chart
#3 – Track number history…as a table
#4 – Extra info…just to keep everyone honest 🙂


Step 4 – [5:59 PM] Still waiting on NJ Transit to announce the track number

CleverCommuteTrainStillNotAnnounced


Step 5 – [6:00 PM] They finally announce the track.

CleverCommuteNJTAnnouncesAfterWeDo


Optional Step [Anytime] – Browse the track history details for this train

CleverCommuteTrackHistoryDetails

Filed Under: Inside Track, ITFeatureWriteUp, NJT

Our premium service lets you manage the alerts from your transit provider

Our premium service lets you manage the alerts from your transit provider

July 14, 2014 by Administrator

This is another feature of Clever Commute Premium.

Yes, your transit provider may indeed publish travel alerts on their web site. They may even e-mail some of them. But when you give them your e-mail address, you also may get unsolicited mails from them (promotions, corporate comms, etc). We solve for that, and ALSO give you these features:

  • categorization (with the option to filter-by-category)
  • color-coding (for readability)
  • delivery as text message
  • the ability to set delivery preferences by time-of-day and day-of-week
  • a way to easily pause/resume/snooze

And of course, if you don’t want to receive these messages, you can opt out.

Example (for NJT Riders). [Click to enlarge any image]

1. NJT publishes a Travel Alert

CleverCommuteNJTAlertsStartHere

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Our technology cleans, categorizes and color-codes it and sends it to you

As a text message…

CleverCommuteNJTAlertsTextMesage

 

 

 

 

or an e-mail

CleverCommuteNJTAlertsEmailInbox

(inbox view)

 

CleverCommuteNJTAlertsEmaiMessage

(message view)

 

 

Filed Under: Inside Track, ITFeatureWriteUp, NJT

Inside Track – Track Number Predictions

Inside Track – Track Number Predictions

July 11, 2014 by Administrator

For trains departing NY’s Penn Station, the transit providers have a stated policy of releasing each train’s track number assignment “10-15 minutes prior” to the scheduled departure time. However, that is a guideline…not a guarantee. Some trains are announced just a few minutes in advance. Also, there are instances where the train number is known by the transit providers…but not shared with the commuters.

The Inside Track (Clever Commute’s premium service) changes all that. We use a proprietary algorithm to dynamically predict each track number before it is announced by the transit providers.

When you click-through on history icon (right-most column) for each train, you will see a page with 4 sections: (click to enlarge)

CleverCommuteEnhancedTrackPrediction

1. Date range selector – Our model is most accurate when it looks at the largest pool (e.g., 60-day) of   historical data.

2. Pie chart – historical track assignments for this train
(it will change as you adjust #1 above)

3. Prediction table – For a given track number, it shows
– Location: a list of tracks that this train has used in the selected time period. Our technology eliminates some tracks as options for this train on this day (e.g., Track 3).
– Occurs: the number of times that track has been used by this train
– Historical Percentage: that number expresses as a percent of the sample size
– Probability: the Clever Commute probability of that train being on a given track for this commute

4. Day-by-day track history – track assignment for this train over the selected period

 

Important things to note 

  • We continue to revise our technology, and the predictions will get better over time. Do not expect 100% accuracy.
  • The stats will change right up until the track is announced.  At that time, the announced track will be set to 100% Probability.
  • Often times, information about eliminated tracks can be just as helpful as the Probability
  • Adjacent tracks matter! One platform serves two tracks. So, feel free to take a peek down the stairs and get a 2-for-1 view!
  • It is your responsibility to be sure you are on the right train. Always verify and listen for official announcements.

 

 

 

Filed Under: Inside Track, ITFeatureWriteUp, LIRR, NJT

Twitter Timelines in The Inside Track

Twitter Timelines in The Inside Track

June 6, 2014 by Administrator

This is another feature of The Inside Track, our premium service.

We know that not everyone is a Twitter user. Even if you are, you may not be following the sources who provide good info.

So, we make it easy by giving all of our users access to commute-related info from the Twitter-verse

CleverCommuteTwitterTimelines1

 

From the main page, click on the red gear…and pick Twitter timelines

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CleverCommuteSocialMediaBrowser

 

 

By default, we show you tweets for your primary carrier. However you have options to see other providers, as well as the major terminals (e.g., NY Penn, Port Authority and Grand Central).

It’s one more way we help you leverage the wisdom of the crowds.

 

We also show you the latest tweets from Clever Commute.

 

 

Filed Under: Inside Track, ITFeatureWriteUp

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