The Urban Engine App Pays Commuters to Avoid Traffic Congestion
Alyson Wyers — June 16, 2014 — Autos
References: urbanengines & springwise
A new app will pay you to beat traffic congestion, as if you needed extra incentive. By using algorithms, Urban Engines helps cities determine when and where traffic is worst, while paying commuters to take alternative traffic-avoiding routes.
This system is based on smart cards commuters carry in many major cities including Washington DC and Sao Paulo, Brazil. Urban Engines tracks the journeys these cards take, offering valuable information to city planners. In Singapore, however, things are being taken to the next level as people are earning rewards by avoiding traffic congestion.
For ever kilometer travelled during peak times commuters receive one point, whereas non-peak hours result in three points. Points can be converted into discounts or put towards a raffle where users could win sums of money.
This system is based on smart cards commuters carry in many major cities including Washington DC and Sao Paulo, Brazil. Urban Engines tracks the journeys these cards take, offering valuable information to city planners. In Singapore, however, things are being taken to the next level as people are earning rewards by avoiding traffic congestion.
For ever kilometer travelled during peak times commuters receive one point, whereas non-peak hours result in three points. Points can be converted into discounts or put towards a raffle where users could win sums of money.
Trend Themes
1. Traffic Congestion Solutions - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop apps that incentivize commuters to avoid traffic congestion and provide valuable data to city planners.
2. Alternative Traffic Routes - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create apps that suggest and reward commuters for taking alternative traffic-avoiding routes during peak and non-peak hours.
3. Gamification of Commuting - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Design apps that turn commuting into a game by rewarding users with points, discounts, and raffle opportunities based on their travel choices.
Industry Implications
1. Transportation - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Integrate smart technologies and algorithms into transportation systems to optimize traffic flow and incentivize alternative commute routes.
2. Urban Planning - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Utilize data collected from commuter apps to inform and improve urban planning decisions, particularly in managing traffic congestion.
3. Mobile App Development - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop innovative mobile apps that utilize gamification elements to incentivize users to make smarter travel choices and avoid traffic congestion.
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