The existing transportation options for university students and staff present significant challenges in terms of accessibility, affordability, and environmental sustainability. These challenges include: Limited Parking Spaces, High Commuting Costs, Environmental Impact and Inefficient Resource Utilization.
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Carpooling systems are seen as potential solutions to address the challenges of sustainable mobility. They offer benefits such as mitigating environmental pollution, reducing congestion, and providing cost savings. Carpooling involves sharing journeys to the same or nearby destinations, with varying numbers of passengers, rotating drivers and vehicles, and flexible arrangements. By reducing the number of single occupancy vehicles on the road, carpooling can help decrease pollution and CO2 emissions, leading to a cleaner environment and less impact from climate change.
A case study on the Transport for Ireland website highlights the success of the carpooling system implemented at Maynooth University, which aimed to become a sustainable campus.
The introduction of the system led to a significant increase in the percentage of students and staff carpooling to campus, from 7.6% in 2014 to 11% in 2018 for students and from 2.5% to 13.2% for staff.
Several factors contributed to the success of the carpooling scheme. The appointment of a Sustainable Travel coordinator ensured its implementation across the campus, and support from various entities such as the Student's Union, Green Campus Committee, and Admissions Office helped promote the scheme through targeted initiatives. Orientation week and poster campaigns increased participation rates among incoming students. Clear carpool designated spaces and enforcement of carpool parking policies enhanced the credibility of the scheme.
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We conducted an online survey with about 36 user responses, to gather information about the transportation habits and preferences of students and faculty. The survey was designed to understand the current transportation landscape at the University and identify areas where improvements can be made to better meet the transportation needs of the university community.
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Sarah is a full-time student who lives off-campus and commutes to the university every day. She is looking for a reliable and affordable way to get to and from the university.
Sarah is frustrated with the high costs of public transportation and the lack of affordable options to get to and from the university. She is also concerned about the environmental impact of driving alone to campus.
Sarah needs a reliable and affordable way to get to and from the university, and she wants to find other students who live near her and have similar schedules to share a ride with.
John is a part-time faculty member who travels from another city to teach at the university twice a week. He is looking for a convenient and comfortable way to commute to the university.
John is frustrated with the long commute and the time he spends driving alone. He is also concerned about finding a parking spot on campus, especially during peak hours.
John needs a comfortable and convenient way to commute to and from the university. He wants to find other faculty members or staff who live near him and have similar schedules to share a ride with, and he needs a way to easily schedule his rides and plan his commute.
Navigation map that a user can take to complete a task or achieve a goal within the Unipool app
The onboarding screens of the app involve a sign-up process where users create a password, verify their phone number with a one-time password (OTP), and answer questions about their intended use of the app. This determines whether they need to provide car details.
For passengers, the app allows them to input their desired location, destination, date, and time for their ride and search for available rides. They can send ride requests to drivers, and once a driver accepts a request, all other sent requests are automatically deleted. Passengers can modify the drop-off or pick-up location during the ride.
For drivers, there is a separate tab where they can enter their current location, destination, date, and time for their ride. When a passenger requests a ride, the driver receives a notification. The passenger and driver can communicate through chat to coordinate the pickup location and discuss journey details. Drivers can also make changes to their journey.
Both drivers and passengers have a profile page where they can update their personal information and choose their preferred default setup as either a driver or passenger in the Unipool system.
Driver Flow Prototype Link
Passenger Flow Prototype Link
Figma Source File Link
Market Research: Conducting more comprehensive market research could provide a better understanding of the competitive landscape, potential barriers to entry, and opportunities for differentiation. This would help in developing a more effective strategy for the project.
User Research: While the project conducted an online survey, it would be beneficial to expand the research to include qualitative interviews or focus groups with potential users. This would provide deeper insights into their needs, pain points, and preferences, allowing for a more user-centered approach to the development of the carpooling service.
Sustainability Measures: The project aims to foster a sustainable environment, but it would be valuable to include specific strategies or initiatives to reduce the environmental impact of transportation further. This could involve encouraging the use of electric or hybrid vehicles, incentivizing carpooling through rewards or benefits, or exploring partnerships with local environmental organizations.
Partnerships and Integration: Collaborating with transportation authorities, local businesses, and other relevant stakeholders could enhance the project's success. For example, integrating with existing transportation systems or partnering with public transportation providers could improve accessibility and convenience for users.
Safety and Trust: Given the concern for safety mentioned in the project, implementing robust safety measures, such as driver background checks, user verification processes, and rating systems, would help build trust and ensure the security of users.
Scalability: The project could consider scalability in its design and infrastructure to accommodate potential growth and increasing user demand. This includes developing a flexible and scalable technology platform, implementing efficient algorithms for matching drivers and passengers, and considering scalability in terms of server capacity and resources.
Marketing and Promotion: Developing a comprehensive marketing and promotion strategy would be crucial to attract users and build awareness of the carpooling service. This could involve targeted marketing campaigns, partnerships with universities or student organizations, and utilizing social media platforms to reach the target audience effectively.
