Lost in Boston: RealTime combines public, real-time bus data and open community event calendars to create inexpensive and easy-to-maintain electronic signs that can be placed near bus stops in publicly viewable, private spaces -- such as storefront windows. Our underlying goal is to build technologies that can bring useful community information to where people go in the real world, stimulating more awareness and engagement in local services.

Businesses and community groups host Lost in Boston: RealTime signs to provide up-to-the-minute bus arrival information, local community event calendars, and their own messages to their customers or constituents. Because the signs are in publicly viewable, private spaces, they need not go through the expensive and time-intensive procurement processes required by the MBTA itself and can be easily updated, moved, or replaced.

It has already been used with success in a local coffeeshop, where customers know they can linger for one more cup, and in a rehabilititation center, where residents getting back on their feet know when their bus to work is arriving.