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The best wireless idea that'll never happen here
By adamg on Fri, 01/06/2006 - 11:07am
David discusses a project in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in which transit buses become part of a wireless mesh - that lets riders get on the 'Net at T-1 speeds and which aims to make the buses more secure (drivers have panic buttons and cameras that, once the button is pressed, can be controlled remotely by police):
... I find it incredible that while Boston, known for good reason as the Hub of the Universe (and points beyond), is still yammering about whether to create a muni mesh network, the good folks of Cedar Rapids are already demonstrating every day that this kind of system pays both security AND economic benefits (in part, it was undertaken as part of an urban revitalization scheme, and to give transit riders a few perks -- that would sure get me out of my car!). Let's get with the program, Boston. ...
The more cynical among you no doubt would suggest the T would be far more interested in using CharlieTickets to track users than providing a new, useful service (is my mind going, or did the T once promise to bring cell service to underground stations?). But the T might also take another lesson from Cedar Rapids, specifically, its passenger hygiene policy:
Personal hygiene must be maintained in a manner that does not result in offensive odors that are unavoidable and objectionable to other passengers.
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Comments
Start With The Basics
Think about what you're proposing here... You want the MBTA, everyone's favorite semi-government agency, to provide internet access.
You obviously don't ride the bus very often if you think this could work. Next time you are standing around near a bus terminal (Harvard or Kenmore, for example), I suggest you look at the marquees on top of the buses as they go by. How many of them light up? How many scroll gibberish? How many buses have sheets of paper taped to the front of the window so you can determine which route the bus is actually running?
If they can't even get something as simple as a light-up sign right, what do you think will become of a mobile wifi setup?
Even if they somehow miraculously install it and it works, I doubt it'll survive when the bus randomly goes up in flames.
Let's start with safety and timeliness before luxuries like wifi.
Double negative?
"Personal hygiene must be maintained in a manner that *does not* result in offensive odors that are *unavoidable* and objectionable to other passengers."
I understand what the intent of this passage is from Cedar Rapids. It means, basically: bathe regularly, with soap, no Dumpster diving and no farting. But it says hygiene must be maintained so it doesn't result in unavoidable odors.
Doesn't it stand to reason that if the odor is unavoidable it is going to happen no matter what advance preparation is taken? If I'm going to take the bus and I want to adhere to the hygiene policy, I won't eat a bean burrito before boarding. That way, I'm avoiding making any smells.
An example of an unavoidable odor would be my baby's diaper exploding unexpectedly. No one can prepare for that one and is therefore unavoidable.
The *does not* in the sentence is necessary as constructed, but the "un" isn't. However, the sentence could be reworded altogether.
"Passengers are entitled to a journey that is free from offensive personal odors than cannot otherwise be avoided."
Anyone can feel free to suggest one, too.
I read it as "odors that are
I read it as "odors that are unavoidable and objectionable to other passengers..." as in, no matter where I sit, I can still smell it. Thus, the odor is unavoidable. If someone eats a clove of garlic for lunch, the odor is objectionable, but avoidable, because I can sit farther away from them. If someone has been on a 5 day bender without showering, there will be no getting away from it. Unavoidable.
If stinky people are
If stinky people are outlawed on the T, only outlaws will ride the T.
Stinky outlaws, mind you...
Hee!
Hee!
Similar research at UMass
Funny you should mention that. I just read an article in the latest Computer Science newsletter from UMass Amherst. They have set up a DieselNet among the PVTA buses around campus.
http://www.cs.umass.edu/csinfo/announce/pioneering...
They don't have Internet access, but they're looking to provide cached versions of useful web pages in the near future.
similar research at UMass
Why don't they cache exploding diapers on the buses? And, while we're at it, shouldn't there be a thread about busses? Whenever I see one of those "busses only" signs, I make certain to kiss the closest person, m/f.
WiFi devices on buses?
One thing that strikes me when I hear about using the net on a bus, is that I probably wouldn't take my laptop out on the bus. I don't ride on the roughest lines. But I'd still think twice. Maybe a WiFi enabled device, like a Palm product... maybe. But I've been mugged just walking to Lechmere... without any evidence I had anything valuable. Now, I'd be advertising.
Maybe instead of WiFi they could replace the 65% of the missing windows from Lechmere. Or enforce the "no smoking on MBTA grounds state law" that seems to be nothing but a joke there. Those signs are *real effective.* I wouldn't be surprised to see an employee light up there. I'm not going to get knifed asking someone to extinguish the cause of my asthma attack...