Traveler Information and Incentive Technology

Traveler Information and Incentive Technology


Program:
TRANSNET
Award:
$3,780,000
Location:
College Park, Maryland
Status:
ALUMNI
Project Term:
11/23/2015 - 08/30/2018

Technology Description:

The National Transportation Center at the University of Maryland (UMD) and its partners will develop a technology capable of delivering personalized, real-time travel information to users and incentivizing travelers to adopt more energy-efficient travel plans. The project team will use data from UMD’s existing regional integrated transportation information system (RITIS) as well as other available resources to design its system model. This system model will integrate information on individual traveler behavior to simulate the effects of traffic and individual traveler choices on energy use in the Washington/Baltimore metro area. For its control architecture, UMD researchers will apply behavioral research to predict travelers’ responses and identify appropriate, personalized incentives to encourage drivers to alter routes, departure times, and driving styles, or to take mass transit or ride-sharing services. The control architecture will incentivize users with monetary and non-monetary rewards, including social influence strategies that leverage social media to generate competition or rewards among social network users.

Potential Impact:

If successful, UMD’s system will demonstrate that energy-efficiency gains in personal transportation can be accomplished through network controls that encourage individual travelers to take specific, energy-relevant actions.

Security:

UMD’s system could facilitate a reduction in transportation energy use and help reduce demand for imported oil.

Environment:

More efficient transportation networks will minimize energy consumption, resulting in improved air quality and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Economy:

UMD’s system could help reduce congestion in metro areas without requiring investment in new infrastructure. A more efficient transportation network could further improve the overall productivity within a regional transportation network.

Contact

ARPA-E Program Director:
Dr. Patrick McGrath
Project Contact:
Dr. Lei Zhang
Press and General Inquiries Email:
ARPA-E-Comms@hq.doe.gov
Project Contact Email:
lei@umd.edu

Partners

Arizona State University
University of Florida
North Carolina State University

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Release Date:
11/10/2014