User-Generated Content
With the increased accessibility and knowledge of technology today, internet users create a wealth of information and multimedia every day. Many websites have taken advantage of this and now allow users to help create, edit, and spread content across the internet. By doing so these websites and applications have a workforce composed of volunteers who help to keep content as up-to-date as possible.
What is Google Transit™?
Top Transit Usage
Google Transit
Upload maps and route information to assist riders in planning their trip.
Google Transit is one of the most widely known and used Mashups. This Google service calculates public transportation routes, time and cost, and can compare the trip to someone using a car. Users can receive step-by-step transit directions in the web browser or on a mobile phone, find transit stops in their area or view station information and schedules.
How to Use Google Transit
The process of signing up your organization for Google Transit can be cumbersome, as it requires detailed GPS coordinate uploads. To begin this process, your organization must sign up for the Google Transit Partners™ program, and follow their process for creating a data feed. To learn more visit maps.google.com/help/maps/transit/partners/participate.html.
What is a MashUp?
Mashups are the combination of two or more sources of data or functionality to create a new webpage or application. Mashups are created out of a need and often fill in a niche related to a certain geographic area or subject. Simply put, a Mashup is a way to combine two sets of data or information in a visual way. Mashups can be and are created by users all over the world. For instance, a user in Singapore could take data from Tri-Met in Portland and post that to a Mashup website for others to view, use, and create future Mashups. In this way, Google is providing a platform by which innovation, advancement, and creativity can be expressed by individuals from all nations and walks of life. Ultimately, this can be a benefit to transit agencies and commuter services organizations that make data available to the public platform.
