Practicum in Transportation Policy, Operations and Logistics

Introduction
The Practicum course is the capstone of George Mason University's School of Policy, Government and International Affairs Master's in Transportation Policy, Operations and Logistics (TPOL). The objective of the course is to engage students in an in-depth field study of ongoing transportation policy, operations, and/or logistics situations, and the design and delivery of actions to manage or resolve problems and opportunities. Students obtain a working knowledge of the theory, policy, law, research, and practices required to effectively and efficiently supply and operate transportation facilities and services. They also learn to think critically and analytically about the problems and challenges in this field and communicate their analyses clearly and effectively through written and oral presentations. Copies of the reports of previous semesters are available at http://spgia.gmu.edu/programs/graduate-degrees/transportation-policy-operations-logistics-tpol/tpol-practicum-reports/.

Spring 2016 Report
'''Just In Time: Enhanced Mobility and Equity through Real-Time Information '''

The spring 2016 Practicum in Transportation Policy, Operations and Logistics focuses on the best of use of public computer display screens for transportation information. Cities own or regulate thousands of computer screens used for public display of information. Screens are becoming ubiquitous on bus shelters, stations, subway entrances, kiosks, bike share stations, and other indoor and outdoor locations. The type of information presented varies: advertising, transit schedules and real-time performance, shared use options, weather, AMBER Alerts and emergency response, for example. Cities, and transportation system operators in particular, control or influence the content of such screens through regulations, contracts and strategic partnerships. Advertisers, for example, underwrite the cost of bus shelters in exchange for use of the shelters as advertising platforms. Subway system operators sell advertising space in their systems.

The report examines appropriate public policies to govern the use of such public space. What is the range of practice? How transparent are policies and contracts? What is the right balance between their use for private profit and public benefit? Is there a “sweet spot” where sharing screens for useful transportation information can attract more “eyeballs” to advertisements?

Students concentrated on the urban transit space — stations, bus shelters and stops, and other street furniture, indoor and particularly outdoor. The goal is to develop policy recommendations for governing public computer display screens tied to public transportation systems.

Although the specific focus of the project is the urban transit space, the issues raised cut across a wide range of transportation systems. Broader issues include the regulation of outdoor advertising, public signage, free speech, potential distractions to drivers, “visual pollution” (for example, sign regulations for sports venues or electronic billboards), and how to balance public and private interests. Such issues arise in the airport and highway sectors, public streets and other public spaces. Thus the 2016 Practicum may draw source material from research and experience in these other domains, as well as provide relevant results and insights.

The client for the report is TransitScreen, Inc., a leading provider of transportation displays featuring live, real-time dashboards of transportation options. TransitScreen’s clients include real estate developers, universities, employers, cities and transit agencies. TransitScreen was launched in 2013, emerging from a civic technology project at Mobility Lab in Arlington, Virginia. It is based at the 1776 business incubator in Washington, D.C., with offices at Code for America in San Francisco, and in other major metropolitan areas.