How Exchange Zones Can Enhance Public Transit

Introduction

Psychologists reference Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy, which outlines the tiers of human needs that must be satisfied before humans can achieve their full potential. Listed just after basic physiological needs (the ones that keep us hydrated, well-fed, breathing, and alive in general) is our need for safety.

Because safety is a key factor in promoting human fulfillment, it’s a key factor in the collective fulfillment of communities. Those in charge of public infrastructure are responsible for providing communities with the greatest sense of security possible.

Relai is run by humans just as public transit is. As fellow humans, we can agree that we not only value a sense of safety, but we need it.

What are Exchange Zones?

Exchange Zones are convenient, secure locations that allow people to drop off and pick up items asynchronously. Placed in public transit arenas, people can integrate storing and retrieving their belongings into their transportation experience.

Here’s how they work:

1. Users will download a Relai App from their app store.

2. They will then review a list of Exchange Zones around their city and select the Exchange Zone and block of time that works best for them.

3. Once they retrieve the address, users will copy and paste it into their maps application and navigate to the Exchange Zone.

4. They will then drop off their item by following the in-app prompts.

5. When they’re ready to retrieve their items, the users will pick them up by following the same in-app prompts.

Exchange Zones are user-friendly and accessible to all those with mobile devices. They’re a great way to cut people slack when they travel, allowing them to build a more positive connotation with the public transit they interact with. 

Can People Misuse Exchange Zones?

Maybe you’re thinking about the ways Exchange Zone usage can get out of hand. “Take a step outside in New York City! Look at the graffiti, the trash. People won’t respect what they can get their hands on,” you might say. You might assume that people will abuse public accommodations for personal gain or outright nefarious behavior.

Before you sift through a range of hypotheticals and unnerving possibilities, think about this. The first technical email was sent in 1971. Phishing attacks through email didn’t have much of a presence until more than 20 years later in 1995. When you introduce a new concept to the public, they must spend time understanding how to use it before they can fathom an understanding of how to misuse it. Nevertheless, Exchange Zones work with a series of precautions to prevent people from exploiting or vandalizing them.

Vetted Users

Anyone with a mobile device can drop off anything in an Exchange Zone. Isn’t such public access liable to act as a slippery slope?

There are limitations on who can access Exchange Zones to regulate Exchange Zone activity. Relai thoroughly verifies and vets each user who downloads a Relai App. This identification process gives users accountability when they interact with an Exchange Zone.

Usage of a Relai App requires government-issued ID based verification, not only restricting certain people from using Exchange Zones but also, by tying their identity to the management of the location, making each user feel visible and responsible for protecting their Exchange Zone space.

Tapping into Existing Surveillance Systems

People who haven’t downloaded a Relai App and might not even know what Exchange Zones are do not have the same accountability as vetted users and might vandalize Exchange Zone locations.

This is why it’s imperative to utilize surveillance systems we already use. Public transit is not characterized by empty vessels and machinery that transport people from one place to another. Police and security personnel are situated in most public transit arenas, and they can play a role in protecting and enforcing the respect of Exchange Zones just like the rest of the public transportation facilities. 

The protection of Exchange Zones would be business as usual.

Even without the presence of law enforcement officials, we also have access to a slew of security cameras that are already situated in public transit facilities. We can leverage the use of these cameras to patrol Exchange Zones.

Exchange Zone Maintenance

Exchange Zones undergo daily maintenance to provide users with smooth, clean, and safe drop-off and pickups.There are three different categories to describe the maintenance of Exchange Zones, including user maintenance, firmware maintenance, and physical maintenance.

To regulate user activity, users must review, agree to, and abide by community guidelines when using Exchange Zones. This is where user identification processes play a significant role— if users fail to respect the community guidelines, it’s tied to their name. 

Regarding firmware maintenance, the Relai team actively updates and manages Relai technology, including the Exchange Zones and the Relai Apps.

For physical maintenance, Exchange Zones are cleaned out and cleared out on a consistent basis. Exchange Zones are also blanketed by interchangeable wraps to combat vandalism.

Exchange Zones for Worry-Free Transit

Exchange Zones are ingrained into a secure transit experience. They facilitate safety for public transit members by giving each a protected location to store their belongings upon arriving and departing from modes of transportation. 

Many people opt to drive into cities because secure locations to store and retrieve belongings within cities by means of self-service don’t currently exist without Exchange Zones. By adding to the convenience of public transit, Exchange Zones grant people permission to relieve themselves of extra responsibilities and place more trust in their transit providers.

Conclusion

People are constantly in search of ways they can make their lives easier. Public transit has played a significant role in facilitating this convenience. However, among the reasons people might be deterred from public transit, the safety of their belongings ranks significantly. 

Exchange Zones help to satisfy this worry and give people the sense of security and encouragement they need to connect with their cities more deeply.

For more information about the ways Exchange Zones can amplify the way people view public transit, visit our website.