The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) has invited startups, innovators and entrepreneurs to apply to become a Startup in Residence (STIR) to develop a Bay Area transit visual information system for use by emergency managers in times of crisis.
The STIR program connects businesses and tech talent with public agencies like MTC to collaborate on innovative solutions to public sector problems. This year, MTC has one challenge: A regional mapping platform to assist with emergency response. The commission is seeking a robust but easy-to-use solution to improve emergency managers’ ability to graphically visualize, in real-time, critical information such as the transit vehicles and other assets available — and the conditions in which they must operate.
Bay Area emergency operations managers currently must visit a variety of complex online platforms to gather critical information. But when time is of the essence, MTC says it would take an unnecessary amount of time to visit all of these sites in order to implement an emergency response.
Applications for MTC’s project are due Nov. 20, 2019.
If selected by MTC, the organization will complete a pro bono, 16-week residency starting in February of 2020. Through this work, the selected participant will get an inside look at one of the nation’s metropolitan planning organizations. At the conclusion of the residency, if the participating organization’s solution is approved by MTC, STIR’s expedited procurement process will streamline the path to contracting for the product.
The STIR program is offered by City Innovate, a San Francisco-based Public Benefit Corporation dedicated to helping emerging technology companies solve challenges in government. STIR offers a framework for governments to solve challenges in collaboration with startups through a structured process that drives rapid innovation.
MTC joins nearly 30 government partners participating in the Startup in Residence program this year. Since 2014, startups from around the world have provided technology solutions to cities including San Francisco, Oakland, Miami and Houston.
