This document discusses increasing adoption of public transport by promoting ridesharing. It notes current problems like low public transport usage and high personal vehicle usage. A survey found most respondents own cars and drive for commuting. Focus groups found that trust is important for ridesharing, and social networks could help develop indirect trust. The document proposes a system using social networks, calendars and maps to help people find ridesharing opportunities that match their travel needs and preferences.

1. Increasing the Adoption of Public Transport
Manas Tungare, Mithilesh Kumar, Yoon Lee, Gyuhyun Kwon, Pardha Pyla
Problems Social networks
•
• Low use of public transport Facebook
•
• High use of personal vehicles VT community
Social network Google Earth
• Low sharing of personal Multiple interfaces
Desktop
vehicles
• Wherever, whenever
General concerns • Serendipitous discovery
• Pollution RSS feeds Interfaces:
• Global warming
• Desktop, browser-based
• Traffic congestion, etc.
• Notes in Facebook
iCalendar
• RSS feeds
• iCalendar feeds
• Google Earth overlay
• Desktop widgets
• Mobile phone web interface
Survey Results
Walll–sized display
• 105 participants Cellphone
• 82% own cars
• 70% age 19–26 years
• 54% driving for about 4–8 years
Not yet friends
Results from Focus Group
Travel Needs
• Trust is the most important
• Commute to work or school
factor for sharing a ride
• Visit parents
• Feedback about past journeys is
• Visit their significant others
important to build trust
• Business
• Social networks are useful for
Factors that influence developing indirect, transitive
travel decisions trust relationships
Friends Friends
• •
Time of journey Users must specify travel
• Punctuality of schedule preferences to avoid conflicts
• •
Safety Women have more safety
• Parking concerns than men
• •
Cost Pollution and concern for the
• Comfort environment are important issues