OpenTimes is a free database offering approximately 150 billion pre-computed travel times between U.S. Census geographies, aimed at facilitating accessible research for social scientists and economists by reducing reliance on costly data services.
Static Parquet files on R2, DuckDB database with HTTP views, GitHub Actions for computation
2025-03-18
- website
Highlight 1
OpenTimes offers a unique resource with an enormous and readily accessible database of travel times that is especially beneficial for researchers and academics.
Highlight 2
The use of static Parquet files and an innovative SQL layer allows for quick data retrieval and efficient handling of large datasets without the overhead of traditional databases.
Highlight 3
The platform's commitment to free access enables innovators and researchers to conduct valuable work without the financial burden of purchasing data.
Improvement 1
The application could improve user engagement by adding interactive features, such as customizable travel time visualizations or dynamic isochrone maps.
Improvement 2
Enhancing the user interface to make navigation and data exploration more intuitive would provide a better experience for users unfamiliar with data querying.
Improvement 3
Implementing traffic data integration could significantly improve the accuracy of travel time estimations, making the tool more valuable for users.
Product Functionality
Consider adding features like real-time traffic data integration, customizable queries, and advanced data visualization tools to enhance user experience.
UI & UX
Improve the navigation and layout to create a more intuitive user experience, possibly through a more structured menu and clearer call-to-action buttons.
SEO or Marketing
To increase visibility, it would be beneficial to implement an SEO strategy focusing on keywords related to travel data, accessibility research, and open data resources.
MultiLanguage Support
Adding support for multiple languages would expand the audience reach, making the platform accessible to non-English speaking users and encouraging wider research utilization.
- 1
What types of data does OpenTimes provide?
OpenTimes provides pre-computed travel times between various U.S. Census geographies, which can be used for a variety of research purposes.
- 2
How can I access the travel time data?
Users can download the travel time data for free directly from the OpenTimes website, with no limits on the amount of data you can request.
- 3
Are the travel times adjusted for traffic conditions?
Currently, the travel times provided by OpenTimes are optimistic and do not account for traffic conditions, but the developer plans to address this in future updates.