(Image Credit: iStockPhoto/suriyasilsaksom)
As cities become smarter, we’re seeing more APIs being opened-up to developers looking to help improve the conditions of those working and living within them. Bristol has become the latest city to join others around the world in offering a transport API.
The web-based service is designed to provide information such as live bus and train times, stop locations, route maps and other data. Developers can use this information to build apps, websites, connected devices, and customer information displays for no cost over the next year.
We’re hoping that developers and engineers are inspired to build some amazing innovations.
Beyond just public transport and routing information, the API will also provide access to live information about parking space availability in car parks, the location of electric vehicle charging stations, and even has its sights on joining cities such as London and New York in providing the real-time availability of bicycle docks.
Stephen Hilton, Director of Bristol City Council’s Bristol Futures team, says: “The introduction of the Bristol API (Transport) is a huge step for Bristol City Council and could improve predicted timings as well as help with journey planning for the public. Using data in this way shows how the council is actively trying to tackle the challenges in the city by collaborating with the tech community and leaders in the industry such as UrbanThings.
UrbanThings was selected to develop the API as a cutting-edge platform which already delivers smart city data to more than a million devices each month. The API builds-upon the open data available in the Bristol Open Data portal, which is part of the Bristol Is Open project. Our sister publication reported on the project last year, focusing on how the infrastructure behind a “smart city” is built.
Carl Partridge, Director of UrbanThings, said about the announcement: “UrbanThings is delighted to be harnessing the Internet of Things to empower intelligent mobility. We were delighted to be selected to provide this cutting-edge API and we’re hoping that developers and engineers are inspired to build some amazing innovations. We look forward to working with them to further enhance the API and help Bristol become a world-leading Smart City.”
UrbanThings and Bristol City Council are running a transport-themed Challenge Event at Watershed on Saturday 23 January from 10:00-17:30, register online to attend. To access the Transport API please go to https://portal-bristol.api.urbanthings.io/#/home.
Have you had any experience with a smart city API? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
