Request for Rate Limit Increase for 511.org API
Aryaman Sharda
Dear 511.org Developer Team,
I hope this message finds you well. My name is Aryaman Sharda, and I’m developing an iOS app that leverages all of the native features of iOS (Live Activities, Widgets, Siri Integration, etc.) to make it easier for users to plan their transit journeys in real-time.
The app focuses on helping users track the transit lines and stops they care about. For example, a user living in Civic Center (SF) might know the lines they frequently use (like the F, J, 49, or 14), along with the stops near them, but not when the next vehicle is arriving. Currently, they have to open Google Maps / Apple Maps and enter a destination each time to figure out the schedule.
Our app simplifies this by moving away from "destinations" and instead allowing users to bookmark the stops and lines they care about (assuming they know the line they need to take to get to their destination). It then provides real-time updates on arrival times, so they can decide if they need to rush or have a little more time. Or, if another line that serves the same area is the better choice. Using iOS-specific features, we surface this information seamlessly in the operating system itself, making it highly convenient for users to stay on top of their transit schedules.
At this stage, we have built support for MUNI and are in the process of adding BART and Caltrain. We’re seeing significant interest in the app, with a substantial mailing list of excited users. To provide accurate and timely updates, our backend queries the Vehicle Monitoring API once per minute per operator to ensure the latest data is available.
Given our current plans, we would like to request a rate limit increase to at least 200 requests per 3600 seconds as we get closer to launch. This would allow us to query real-time data for MUNI, BART, and Caltrain, ensuring we can meet user expectations for timely updates. If you're able to authorize a higher rate limit, we can expand our app to other operators more easily (i.e. San Francisco Bay Ferry, SamTrams, etc). As we expand support to additional operators in the future, we’d love to revisit this limit increase request if necessary.
Here’s some additional context:
- API Key: 05b3cfff-8b80-4e61-82d7-326f1a06d4bb
- Use Case: Real-time updates for bookmarked transit stops and lines using the Vehicle Monitoring API.
- Endpoints Used: Vehicle Monitoring API (frequently) and Stops API (rarely)
- Justification: Accurate, minute-level updates are crucial for our app’s success and user satisfaction, particularly given the real-time nature of public transit schedules.
Please let me know if there’s any additional information you need to evaluate this request. Thank you for providing such a valuable resource to the developer community, and I look forward to hearing from you.
For some credentials, here's a list of other apps I've made on the App Store (https://apps.apple.com/us/developer/aryaman-sharda/id651900313) and my LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/aryaman-sharda-12753168/)
Best Regards,
Aryaman Sharda
