A handful of New York City taxis are causing busy travelers to think twice before ridesharing to catch their flight. Instead of “Vacant” signs, these cabs are using small digital displays to show the estimated travel time to both JFK and Newark airports. Part of a Delta Airlines campaign, this simple heads-up may be convincing some travelers to skip the ride-share and hop in a cab instead.
This example points to a larger transportation trend: integrating technology to influence passenger behavior and enhance the overall experience. Although many of these innovations are designed specifically for use in airports, bus terminals and subway stations, the principles behind them could be applied to any industry.
For instance, what if an LED sign in front of your fitting rooms told shoppers their exact wait time for an available dressing room? Or how long before they could be seen by a sales associate? You’d…