Swift Link
Creators: Marcin, Bryan & Giorgos
School: High School Students from Grover Cleveland High School
Location: Queens, NY
Project Themes: Public Services
About this Project
Our project addresses the issue of inaccurate bus arrivals times. The way this project works is that it takes user's compliants via the report button and based on these compliants it uses AI to make an accurate estimation of when the desired bus will arrive to your specific stop.
Project Links
Professional Feedback
Hey Marcin, Bryan, and Giorgos!
Your project addresses a problem that has been overlooked for far too long, despite affecting so many people every day. Those who rely on public transportation deserve access to the kind of real-time updates and support your application provides. The amount of research and thought behind this project is very clear, and it shows how dedicated you were to not only solving the issue, but solving it in a way that truly connects with users and their everyday experiences.
I also think the mission behind this app could become one of its strongest assets. Since public transportation issues often impact underserved and underrepresented communities the most, SwiftLink has the potential to create meaningful social impact. I’m glad you already included outreach in your next steps because strong community engagement will be key to the app’s success. When thinking about marketing, it’s important to consider where your target audience will actually see advertisements. Bus stops, train stations, and transit hubs would be perfect places to promote the app directly to the people who need it most.
The notification feature is also incredibly valuable, especially for users rushing through busy schedules. One idea that could make it even stronger is a live countdown system that sends notifications 30, 20, 10, and 5 minutes before the bus arrives based on the AI’s real-time predictions. Since arrival times can constantly change, these dynamic updates would help users plan more confidently. Another major factor affecting public transportation is weather, so integrating weather data into the AI system could improve prediction accuracy even further and help users better prepare for delays.
One of my favorite features was the AI’s ability to recommend which bus users should take, when they should leave, or even whether another form of transportation may be a better option. This removes a lot of the stress and uncertainty people face when navigating public transit schedules.
As the app continues developing, it may also be helpful to keep elderly users in mind. Your design is already intuitive and straightforward, but having older adults test the app could help ensure the experience remains accessible for all age groups. Another demographic worth considering is tourists or travelers unfamiliar with the area. Features specifically designed for visitors, such as simplified directions or local transit tips, could make the app even more useful.
SwiftLink genuinely stood out to me because I could feel the passion and purpose behind it. Your team demonstrated strong research, collaboration, and decision-making skills throughout the project. Keep up the amazing work. I could truly see this becoming something that makes a real difference in people’s daily lives :)
Your project addresses a problem that has been overlooked for far too long, despite affecting so many people every day. Those who rely on public transportation deserve access to the kind of real-time updates and support your application provides. The amount of research and thought behind this project is very clear, and it shows how dedicated you were to not only solving the issue, but solving it in a way that truly connects with users and their everyday experiences.
I also think the mission behind this app could become one of its strongest assets. Since public transportation issues often impact underserved and underrepresented communities the most, SwiftLink has the potential to create meaningful social impact. I’m glad you already included outreach in your next steps because strong community engagement will be key to the app’s success. When thinking about marketing, it’s important to consider where your target audience will actually see advertisements. Bus stops, train stations, and transit hubs would be perfect places to promote the app directly to the people who need it most.
The notification feature is also incredibly valuable, especially for users rushing through busy schedules. One idea that could make it even stronger is a live countdown system that sends notifications 30, 20, 10, and 5 minutes before the bus arrives based on the AI’s real-time predictions. Since arrival times can constantly change, these dynamic updates would help users plan more confidently. Another major factor affecting public transportation is weather, so integrating weather data into the AI system could improve prediction accuracy even further and help users better prepare for delays.
One of my favorite features was the AI’s ability to recommend which bus users should take, when they should leave, or even whether another form of transportation may be a better option. This removes a lot of the stress and uncertainty people face when navigating public transit schedules.
As the app continues developing, it may also be helpful to keep elderly users in mind. Your design is already intuitive and straightforward, but having older adults test the app could help ensure the experience remains accessible for all age groups. Another demographic worth considering is tourists or travelers unfamiliar with the area. Features specifically designed for visitors, such as simplified directions or local transit tips, could make the app even more useful.
SwiftLink genuinely stood out to me because I could feel the passion and purpose behind it. Your team demonstrated strong research, collaboration, and decision-making skills throughout the project. Keep up the amazing work. I could truly see this becoming something that makes a real difference in people’s daily lives :)
You have tackled a massive, real-world problem that affects millions of commuters every single day who rely on dependable public transit. Relying on static, traditional schedules can be incredibly frustrating, so your approach to fixing this is brilliant. Using crowd-sourced data through a simple "report" button is a fantastic way to get real-time info straight from the people experiencing the delays. Combining that community power with AI to calculate smarter, more accurate arrival times shows some seriously high-level, innovative thinking. You’ve taken a common daily headache and found a tech-savvy, community-driven way to solve it!
To make your app even more powerful, here are a few ideas for future updates. Since metropolitan areas have incredibly diverse populations, adding multi-language options would ensure that everyone in the community can easily use your tool. You might also consider a feature that lets users set alerts for their frequent or favorite bus lines, so they get automatic updates without even having to search. Finally, once you perfect this system for buses, expanding your platform to include subways and other forms of public transportation would turn your project into the ultimate all-in-one commuting companion. Fantastic job, and keep innovating!
To make your app even more powerful, here are a few ideas for future updates. Since metropolitan areas have incredibly diverse populations, adding multi-language options would ensure that everyone in the community can easily use your tool. You might also consider a feature that lets users set alerts for their frequent or favorite bus lines, so they get automatic updates without even having to search. Finally, once you perfect this system for buses, expanding your platform to include subways and other forms of public transportation would turn your project into the ultimate all-in-one commuting companion. Fantastic job, and keep innovating!
