Imagine drones maintaining buses or being able to inspect SkyTrain guideways with augmented or virtual reality systems. Those are just a couple of ways that new technologies could help keep transit on the move.

As part of TransLink Tomorrow, we’re calling on entrepreneurs, businesses, inventors, and innovators to submit cutting-edge ideas to help keep TransLink’s system well-maintained, reliable, and high performing.

We’re looking to hear from anyone and everyone keen to solve challenges in a rapidly growing region, with this year’s challenge focusing on maintaining a state of good of repair across our transportation infrastructure. We hope that you can step up and answer the challenge statement:

“How can TransLink revolutionize our maintenance and asset management practices to improve the reliability and performance of our transit and transportation infrastructure?”

We’re looking for creative proposals in predictive maintenance, asset performance management, remote inspection and monitoring, sustainable materials and techniques, and workforce empowerment to help address the challenge statement.

Do you have an idea to take transit maintenance to the next level? We want to hear from you by September 15, 2023! TransLink could help fund, test, and incubate successful ideas.

Example from a previous Open Call for Innovation partnership

In its initial year, our Open Call for Innovation fostered a partnership with Modo, Mobi by Shaw Go, and Evo Car Share for the Shared Mobility Pilot Program. It tested the user experience and technical integration of tying multimodal journeys together with a Shared Mobility Compass Card over an 11-month period.

Why maintaining a state of good repair matters

At a home, there’s day-to-day chores such as loading the dishwasher and mowing the lawn. But as it ages, you’ll have to do things like paint touch-ups or start replacing things like the roof. The transit system is no different — we need to maintain it as it plays a crucial role in moving people in Metro Vancouver.

A well-maintained, safe and reliable transit system is one that is in a state of good repair. We know its success is built on maintaining the old and investing in the new.

That’s why we’ve made it one of our major program areas in our 10-Year Priorities to keep our system in a state of good repair. With your help, you can shape the future of the region in this year’s Open Call for Innovation. TransLink Tomorrow is our commitment to continuously explore, test, and implement ways to improve mobility in Metro Vancouver.

Learn more at translink.ca/opencall