Using my smartphone to be a better (taxi) driver

When I first started taxi driving we were required to have our own Thomas Guide with us. If you have had a delivery job, you will recognize it. 

Great map! Informative, and even had listings of schools, parks, goverment buildings etc. in the back. Our taxi computer system made it one step easier, and we were given the page and quadrant numbers of the address so we didn't have to look up the street in the index.

Yet, using Google Maps on my Android smartphone has elevated my map experience to a new and superior level. Let's imagine a scenario:

Say I receive an order on my computer for 1234 SW College Street and I want to see it on the map. I hold down the "Search" key on my phone and the voice search prompt pops up, even pausing the music playback for me. I say "Map of 1214 SW College Street," which is then displayed in text so I can be sure the voice recognition worked, and after a moment it opens Google Maps to that address. From that point I can get directions or navigation if I need to. With the navigation feature, you get turn-by-turn directions and even a Street View picture of the address! 

I make it to the house and hold down search again to say "Call 503-555-5555." The number dials and, using bluetooth, I tell the customer I have arrived.

But there are whole levels of complexity in addition to that. Say the customer gets in and knows the name of a store but not the address. I can say "Map of [store name]" and it will show the results of the search on the map. I can then click on it's marker to show the store's information: operating hours, user reviews, website and a clickable phone number are almost always available. 

I call to make sure the store has the item and we are ready to go. I activate the "Traffic" layer on the map and the freeway is marked red the whole way! Oh no! But I know this first off so I take surface streets and we arrive to the store without a problem. My customer is assured they made the right decision with jaxicab :D

So check out what my phone is doing:

• Recognizing addresses, phone numbers and commands by voice
• Locating an address and my current location on the map
• A picture of the address I am looking for
• Searching and accessing business listings
• Displaying easy to read color-coded traffic information 
• Directions or navigation

All that from a single free program. Pretty amazing. Thanks Google :)

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Kboo Bike Show

When you go to KBOO, you must go by bike.

Why?

This:

And I was going to be part of the Bike Show! Just felt right.

Right from meeting everyone in the lobby I knew the show was going to be fun, and it sure was. The bus driver Ralph Kerbs' opinions about the increase of activity on our streets over the last 26 years was very interesting. The extra traffic means the bus loops can't be done in the same amount of time anymore, which requires more buses to provide the same service. It is really tricky trying to organize something like that and I enjoyed hearing his insights into how the system works. 

Because, really, I love Trimet. A decent percentage of my taxi customers are regularly Trimet riders who, for whatever reason, didn't make the bus that day. Because we have such a good transportation and taxi system here, those people don't need to drive their own car, and most often, own their own car. Taxis fill the inadvertent gaps in public transportation service, allowing people to commute reliably without a personal vehicle. Big win for everyone. 

Speaking of everyone, another portion are regularly cycling and, for whatever reason, can't ride their bike that day. Another portion regularly walk but are running late. It is one of the things that I love about my job; I get to be part of all these people's day, running them to work or the train station, the mall or the zoo. I get to hear about the things they do, why they took a cab, what they think about whatever it is that is on their minds...it is really fun. I have had people say it is their first time in a taxi. I get to be their whole idea of what a taxi driver is! What responsibility! ;)

I am waxing on about this because I didn't get to say it on the show. Listening to it again, I notice there are quite a few questions that were left unanswered. Funny how an hour long show could go so fast! Here is a link to the show: 

I got a little nervous and stuttered more than I would have liked, but all and all I am happy with what I could share.

For fun, here is what I think about the unanswered questions: about the bikes from the side, I like reflective tape or another set of flashing lights. The lights that attach to the spokes of the wheel are very nice at night. I am not sure if different color lights for front or back wheel would help or not. I will absolutely echo Zach's point that predictability is the safest thing, so I would go with a color other than red or white. As a driver I am trained to see a flashing white light as an oncoming cyclist and a flashing red light as a cyclist travelling my way. A green or blue or yellow or any other color light would help my brain not assume a direction of motion. 

Another question was raised about acupuncture or chiropractic treatment for driving. I have had more experience and success with acupuncture than chiropractic care, but proper nutrition has been the most important thing I do to stay healthy with my job. Ralph talked about how they didn't have a good lunch break and that encouraged snacking...well when you are cab driving, you don't really get a paid break to eat at all, so drive-thrus and snack foods are way too appealing to the bottom line. Early morning breakfast was particularily difficult for me so I have gotten into the habit of making a loaded smoothie with nuts, chia seeds, protein powder, rice bran, fresh kale...all kinds of things that taste great blended up and keeps me from settling on some unhealthy food that makes me feel bad.

I bet there are more unanswered questions, but there always are. Do you have any questions? Did you like the show?

 

Cherry blossoms at Reed College