Smartphones have become a major part of our daily lives, providing a myriad of information from the comfort of our homes or anywhere on the go. Companies, automakers and public authorities have developed a dizzying array of applications, including many that help manage transportation needs more effectively. But can they actually influence how we plan our every trip?
According to a study by Latitude Research, which asked 18 commuters in Boston and San Francisco to surrender their cars for one week, the answer is yes.
Apparently, the participants found that any autonomy lost by handing over their keys could be regained through apps providing real-time information about transit schedules, delays, and shops and services along the routes.
They also reported that ditching their cars made them feel more connected with the communities where they work and live. That feeling grows stronger still with technology that connects riders to the cityscape, the study showed.
Furthermore, many commuters said they’d like more information about the areas they pass through while riding mass transit. For example, is there a supermarket or a gym nearby?
Latitude Research chose Boston and San Francisco because these two cities offer a relative abundance of information about public transit through multiple apps that increase riders’ sense of autonomy so they don’t feel at the mercy of someone else's schedule.
This opens the door to a future where technology and real-time information allow people to alternate between cars and public transit at will without sacrificing their freedom.
Source : Wired
According to a study by Latitude Research, which asked 18 commuters in Boston and San Francisco to surrender their cars for one week, the answer is yes.
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Apparently, the participants found that any autonomy lost by handing over their keys could be regained through apps providing real-time information about transit schedules, delays, and shops and services along the routes.
They also reported that ditching their cars made them feel more connected with the communities where they work and live. That feeling grows stronger still with technology that connects riders to the cityscape, the study showed.
Furthermore, many commuters said they’d like more information about the areas they pass through while riding mass transit. For example, is there a supermarket or a gym nearby?
Latitude Research chose Boston and San Francisco because these two cities offer a relative abundance of information about public transit through multiple apps that increase riders’ sense of autonomy so they don’t feel at the mercy of someone else's schedule.
This opens the door to a future where technology and real-time information allow people to alternate between cars and public transit at will without sacrificing their freedom.
Source : Wired