New Media in Transportation
From Baruchnewmedia
Contents |
Daily Transit
New York's MTA has an average weekday ridership of 8,505,966 people (mta.info). Subway, commuter rail, and bus riders can now receive notifications from the MTA about any service disruptions or changes. Users being given the option to receive updates allows for them to better plan their day. It also allows for riders to alert others that may be traveling the same way.
To see how some of this works you can visit the MTA page here.
To see how some of this works you can visit the LIRR page here.
MTA also offers Metro Cards which is a new media in itself. Since its introduction in 1994, millions of New Yorkers could not leave home without that yellow and blue card. Metro Cards put an end to the popular tokens, allowing riders to buy MTA services for different periods of time. These cards saved New Yorkers money and the hassle of carrying tokens on their trip and not being able to buy service for long periods of time (One day unlimited, Monthly and Weekly Unlimited services).
If lost the metrocard cannot be replaced. However, 14-Day and 30-Day Unlimited Ride MetroCard and the 7-Day Express Bus MetroCard provide a balance protection if purchased with a credit card or debit/atm card. So, it is better to buy the card with a credit card or debit/atm card than cash.
With new media, a metrocard works as an EasyPayXpress MetroCard. It works just like any other Pay-Per-Ride MetroCard except people now can have the convenience of one card that automatically refills itself.
References: http://www.mediabistro.com/fishbowlny/original/mta-logo.gif
The Auto Industry
This section analyzes and describes how car companies are using new media to lure new customers and keep existing customers.
"New York cabs to get TV and GPS connection"
Those who took a yellow cab in New York City might have noticed the new technology that includes credit card readers. Now people can pay their fares by credit cards, watch some NBC shows and of course ads. The system is also equipped with GPS that can be helpful to many tourists.
The auto industry is using new techonologies very wisely by introducing a car that drives on it's own. The new cars are coming out in which one just puts the address in the navigation and the car drives on its own. The car will follow all the traffic regulations, will be programmed to stop at red lights, brake when needed to and get a person to their destination safely.It would decrease the number of accidents on the road. Many say this is not possible but many years ago, auto industry declared that something like this will replace our cars very soon.
The Airline Industry
This section describes airlines' uses of new media and, like the car companies, how this attracts new customers and retains existing customers.
New media can be used by the airline industry to connect with customers and generate revenue. Every year the airline industry generates billions of dollars but their profit margin is still less than one percent. Many problems facing the industry are high labor costs, varying seasonal demand, and vulnerability to weather conditions. The airline industry can offer travelers a Web interface customized to their travel needs and also save time by letting customers check in by credit card instead of going through the airport staff. Also they provide that they give a discount when they reserve tickets by airplane company website. For instance, in jetblue website, they shows featured webfare. (http://www.jetblue.com/) Additionally, they send an e-mail for promotion fare whenever they have.
Also, airplanes can introduce new media by providing their clients with internet service. Travelers will continue to work, even in the air, allowing them to get more work done. The airline that introduces this idea will be at a greater advantage than others and can increase it's fares without losing travelers.
The Cruise Industry
This section explains how cruise lines attract customers while promoting their offerings to the public using new media.
To better understand the key performance drivers of the cruise business in the Internet Age, website is critical for reaching and influencing potential cruisers. While television and magazines remain the top two media for igniting vacation ideas, the third most popular source for new vacation ideas is now online search. Online search is one of the top sources used by the majority of consumers throughout every aspect of the vacation. Most importantly, positive website experiences influence consideration to book a cruise and provide opportunity for increased word-of-mouth marketing
Travel Companions and Ratings
This section describes how people find travel companions through new media and also how travel ratings on new media make a noticeable impact on the entire travel industry
Future - Flying Cars
Future flying cars have intrigued people for decades. Ever since Orville and Wilbur Wright took off on their historic flight from Kittyhawk, North Carolina, people were not thinking about huge jumbo jets, but rather future flying cars that could get them from point A to point B quickly, safely and aeronautically. People are yearning for future flying cars, the kind like a regular automobile, but one that could put people above the angst of rush hour traffic, highway closures, detours and traffic jam causing accidents.
Then another future flying car is the AirScooter II, which is being called a recreational air vehicle. The AirScooter II is not in production yet as the AirScooter Corporation is still testing its AeroTwin Engine and expects to go into production by the end of 2007. For under $50,000 you can have your own personal aircraft that soars above the traffic. The AirScooter II can reach 55 mph and fly for 2 hours before refueling.
So, to recap, future flying cars are not that much into the future. Within a couple of short years, your future flying car may be your present everyday car and flying will be as commonplace as honking your horn at another driver is today.
References:
http://notimefortrivia.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/flying-car-new.jpg
