Maximize Walking, Minimize Waiting
There are no buses actively driving on the selected route and direction toward any stops that you can reach in time. Walk or Wait shows only buses that are currently on the road, not scheduled arrivals, so this message means there are no live buses heading your way right now.
This is common near the beginning of a route or during limited service hours. Please check back later, or consider an alternative route if available.
Upon visiting the website, you'll be prompted to allow access to your GPS location. This enables the app to find nearby bus routes and stops.
You'll see a list of bus routes that serve your current location. Tap on the route you're planning to take.
The app will display a list of bus stops you can walk to without missing your bus. Each stop includes:
Use the provided map links to navigate to your chosen bus stop.
This website ignores buses that are scheduled for a stop but not actively on the way. Unfortunately that makes stops near the start of a route less likely to have a bus on the way at that moment.
Your privacy is important to us. This policy outlines how we handle and protect your information when you use our website.
We do not collect any personal information from users. The only data we store is basic server logs for traffic statistics.
Our server automatically records certain information, such as your IP address, browser type, and the pages you visit on our website. This data is used solely for monitoring traffic and improving our service. We do not use this data to identify or track individual users.
We do not share any information with third parties, nor do we use any external services that collect user data.
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page, and we encourage you to review it periodically.
If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy, please contact us at eric@wikman.com.
Walk or Wait was created as an entry to the MTA Open Data Challenge of October 2024 by Eric Wikman.
The idea for this app came from a personal routine. I often tried to get more steps in during my commute by walking to a further bus stop instead of waiting at the closest one. However, this simple goal turned out to be a challenge because I had to use two different apps and constantly switch between them to check walking routes and bus times.
Things got even trickier when I had the option of taking two different bus routes to my destination. As a result, I ended up missing the bus about 20% of the time because I couldn't get the timing right, and the bus would drive past me while I was still walking.
Walk or Wait solves this problem by combining real-time bus data with walking distance calculations. It helps you plan your steps efficiently so you can walk more and still catch your bus on time and is quick and easy to switch bus routes.
I can be contacted at eric@wikman.com
Walk or Wait is a mobile-friendly web application designed to enhance the commuting experience for users of the NYC MTA Bus Service. By integrating real-time data from the MTA Bus Time API, the app helps users decide which bus stop to walk to in order to increase their step count without extending their total commute time.
Determines the closest bus stop for the selected route and direction based on the user's current GPS location. Calculates walking times to the nearest and subsequent bus stops, factoring in the user's walking speed (Slow, Normal, Fast). Identifies the furthest stop the user can reach in time to catch the same bus, considering a preferred buffer time before the bus arrives (0–4 minutes).
Utilizes the MTA Bus Time API to fetch current bus locations and expected arrival times. Employs the OSRM API to calculate accurate walking times and distances to bus stops.
Features a clean, vertical layout optimized for mobile devices. Provides a simple menu of nearby bus routes, allowing users to make quick selections. Includes interactive elements like button groups for walking speed, buffer time, and direction selection.
Offers hyperlinks for each recommended bus stop that open in a map application, aiding users in navigation.
Allows users to refresh their results after 30 seconds to get updated recommendations based on their current location. Provides a reset option to start a new search or update permissions.
Walk or Wait presents a unique blend of fitness and commuting by encouraging users to walk more without delaying their travel. Transforms the routine of waiting for a bus into an opportunity for physical activity and exploration.
Delivers valuable insights by calculating optimal bus stops that align with the user's schedule and fitness goals. Proposes a practical solution for incorporating more walking into daily routines without sacrificing time efficiency.
Well-executed with a focus on simplicity and functionality, ensuring a smooth user experience. Employs vanilla JavaScript and simple.css for a responsive and clean interface. Backend efficiently handles data retrieval and processing, providing quick and accurate recommendations.
Makes extensive use of publicly available data from the MTA Bus Time API. Clearly documents data sources and how information is used to generate recommendations. Provides users with transparent insights into bus schedules and walking times.
Conclusion: Walk or Wait enhances the NYC commuting experience by seamlessly integrating open data to provide personalized, actionable recommendations. It encourages a healthier lifestyle through increased physical activity while maintaining a focus on time efficiency.
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