SKILLSET FEATURED

MARKETING & CONCEPTING

GOAL

To provide MARTA station information on an interactive map that also shows the surrounding attractions. When the concept for My Station Finder was created in 2006, there was no MARTA information available on Google Maps. While planning a trip downtown I wanted to know "Can I get there by MARTA?" Neither Google Maps nor the MARTA web site offered any help.

TECHNOLOGY

The Google Maps API utilizes Javascript and AJAX. Custom markers were created and plotted on the map using latitude and longitude coordinates. These coordinates, along with other information such as name, category, and the closest MARTA station, is stored in a database. When a user clicks on a marker, it executes a PHP command that queries the database. The database returns the results of the query into an XML document that is fed back into the Google Maps API.

DATA COLLECTION

The information in the database had to be collected by hand, so I took my bicycle onto MARTA and visited every stop on the North line. I biked a 2 block radius around the station to inventory what I wanted plotted on the map. The data collection process was more tedius than anticipated, so only the North line was populated for the launch of the site. A feedback link provides users a way to recommend new ammenitites.

SCALABILITY

Currently only the Atlanta subway station is published, but the structure of MSF can be used for adding more cities. Additionally, the framework of the site could be extended to other uses, such as plotting around lakes where the good fishing spots are for example.

BUSINESS PLAN

A complete business plan is available (upon request) that addresses features, technical specifications, marketing plan, operation plan, and a breakdown of startup expenses.

DESIGN COMPS

The visual design of the site is derived from the custom marker. Much time was spent on developing a marker that was 12 pixels wide by 20 pixels tall. It was difficult to have such a small image be distinctive. Colors are influenced by the current MARTA logo.

Early design comps: