Article: New Train Yarn app designed to bring commuters together

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Brisbanetimes --> New Train Yarn app designed to bring commuters together

Look around a train carriage and you're likely to see a number of people in silence, pre-occupied on their mobile phones.

But one researcher wants to harness that activity - which could be considered anti-social - into a way for passengers to interact with each other.

Tiago Camacho from Queensland University of Technology's Urban Informatics Research lab has created a smartphone chat app that only works on Brisbane's train network.

Inspired by the popular website Chatroulette, Mr Camacho's team spent about five months creating Train Yarn.

"Research has shown that while most people think they would rather sit in solitary than talk with a stranger, when tested people who conversed with someone had a more positive experience than those who kept to themselves," he said.

"For whatever the reason, whether it is public transport etiquette, shyness or disinterest, most people don't chat with random strangers on the train. This research will investigate whether people who reconsider a commuter chat would actually enjoy it."

Virgin America has an on-board chat system on its US domestic flights, although according to this article, the results have been humorous at times.

Mr Camacho is quick to point out that the Train Yarn app is different to other messaging services popular on mobile phones, some of which have garnered a reputation for being a hotbed for "sexting".

On Train Yarn, users are virtually anonymous and can only send text-based messages.

Mr Camacho had hoped to use Queensland Rail's wifi network but this wasn't possible so the app uses smartphone's GPS data to limit conversations to train lines.

He said initial trials with small groups of people had been successful.

"You can be in any train, but the way it works is it first tries to find someone who is going to be closer to you than going to other individuals," he said.

QUT researchers will collect statistics from the app from July 3-16 and are encouraging people to use it between 6am-8am and 4pm-6pm.

Because it is a research project, they will also look at what people are talking about but not release details of commuters' conversations.

Mr Camacho said after the trial period the app would remain free and, depending on its popularity, further updates may be released.

To download Train Yarn, search for the app in the iTunes and Google Play stores. More information can be found at the app website.

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/new-train-yarn-app-designed-to-bring-commuters-together-20140627-zsopx.html