Each day in Massachusetts, travelers throughout the state make individual decisions on how to reach their destinations. Together, the public’s transportation “mode choice” translates into significant outcomes which impact residents across the Commonwealth in many ways, including through traffic congestion, travel costs, and carbon emissions. To better understand traffic flows throughout the state, MassDOT installed pilot network of roadway sensors to provide real-time traffic management (RTTM) information on three major roadways- 93, I-90, and Rt. 3. Each of these roadway “corridors” is paralleled by at least one light rail line. The Mass Transportation Future Hackathon will engage the public to show compelling insights from the available data, with a special priority around presenting the differences between driving vs. riding the train through specific corridors. The event is designed to encourage participants to choose their own most compelling “lens“ through which to analyze the data, which may include: travel cost, emissions, time delays, etc.
Eligibility
To participate, participants:
- Must be on site for a majority of the hackathon.
- Must be 18 years or older, or accompanied by a parent.
Requirements
Submissions must include:
- A link to the data visualization on a website, or screen shots of the visualization
- The code accompanying the visualization
Prizes
$6,000 in prizes
Best use of data
The project with the best use of core and comparative data. The data represented is useful, insightful, and actionable insights can be derived.
Most visually compelling
The project that is most visually compelling.
Crowd Favorite
This project is the crowd voted favorite. When voting, participants should bare in mind the Judging Criteria listed in ChallengePost and NOT vote for one's own team. This winner will be determined after the "Best Use of Data" and "Most Visually Compelling" awards have been presented.
Devpost Achievements
Submitting to this hackathon could earn you:
How to enter
To participate, registration is required here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mass-transportation-future-hackathon-tickets-9515375745.
Judges

Christopher Scranton
Senior Manager for Big Data & Tech Initiatives, Mass Tech Collaborative

Jeff Mullan
Former Mass. Sec. of Transportation, Partner, Foley Hoag, LLP

Clinton Bench
Deputy Registrar for Operations, MassDOT
Judging Criteria
-
Use of Core Data
Has the project used all or some of the core data provided for the hackathon in an interesting way? Does the visualization present compelling correlations? Does the visualization suggest actionable insights? -
Use of Comparative Data Sources
Has the project incorporated comparative data provided for the hackathon in an interesting way? -
Interactivity
Is the visualization interactive? Can the public readily engage with the data? -
Usability
Is this visualization immediately useful? Is it easy to learn and navigate the content? -
Aesthetic Design
Is the data presented in an aesthetic, effective, and imaginative way?
Tell your friends
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.