What People WantTechnologies to Enhance Life

Suzie EdringtonTexas A&M Transportation Institute

Transportation Works SummitAugust 17, 2015

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Why Is Enhancing Mobility Important?

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National Effort to Identify Travel Needs and Technologies that Enhance Travel

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Think About

What are your travel needs?

How can existing and future technology enhance your own travel?

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Think of Trip(s) in Segments

What Are Your

Needs?

What If …Technology Solutions

Trip Planning

Departure En Route Arrival Return

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Five Technology AreasWhich of the topics areas shown on the left, do you feel can provide assistance in which of the four functional categories?

U.S. Department of TransportationITS Joint Program Office

TRIP PLANNING AND SCHEDULINGSegment 1

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What Do You Think About in Planning Your Trip?

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Imagine This Technology Example: Data Integration

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Pre-trip planning/ booking services • Traveler needs matched with travel accessibility features• Points of interest, facility amenities, obstacles, mapping

DEPARTURESegment 2

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What Do You Think About in Departure?

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Imagine This Technology Examples: Wayfinding and Navigation

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• Wearable sensors used in conjunction with devices that provide auditory and tactile guidance

Segment 3

EN ROUTE

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What Do You Think About En Route to Your Destination?

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Imagine This Technology Example: ITS and Assistive Technology

“Internet of Things (IoT)” allows smartphones, wrist bands/watches, glasses, clothing to interface with vehicles, infrastructure, and pedestrians:• Vehicle to vehicle (V2V), • Vehicle to infrastructure (V2I), and • Vehicle to pedestrian (V2P)

Segment 4

ARRIVAL/FACILITIES AND STATIONS

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What Do You Think About upon Arrival at a Facility, Station, or Another Location?

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Imagine This Technology Example:Automation and Robotics

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Vehicle automation to connect all travelers to existing public transportation or other transportation hubsVirtual caregivers/ concierge services to provide connectivity throughout travel and assist in travel decision

RETURN TRIPSegment 5

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What Do You Think About on Your Return Trip?

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Imagine This Technology Example: Enhanced Human Service Transportation

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Integrated payment or information systems across travel modes linking paratransit, fixed-route, parking

Webinar Results: Identified Technology Issues

275 participants answered the question “What issues might you have with new technology?”

Issue Percent of Total

ResponsesTraining to use and awareness of new technology 46%Affordability 21%Performance quality (especially long-distance travel/ rural areas) 16%Accessibility to all disability types 7%Integration and compatibility to existing technology 4%Maintenance 4%Concern of confidentiality and theft 2%

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Webinar Results: Identified NeedsParticipants answered the question “Describe your needs” during each trip segment and provided 1,203 responses

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• One-stop itinerary information (transit schedule, destination information, mapping, pathway conditions, connection information, weather, trip length, facility layout, personal list, travel options, landmarks, parking availability, last mile options)

• Amenity information (e.g. restroom, shelter, benches, food, drinks)• Real-time transportation information• Safety, security and emergency information• Traveler help line/ customer service• Connected, continuous, accessible pathways• Personal care attendant or other assistive/ training services• Information in variety of accessible formats • En-route assistance and information• Accessible payment options and trip cost information• Signage in accessible formats• Flexible and/or spontaneous travel options• Vehicles with accessible equipment• Technology, communications devices and recharging for traveler use• Profile of traveler (for agency to accommodate traveler)

Think About

What are your travel needs?

How can existing and future technology enhance your own travel?

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Thank You

Suzie EdringtonTexas A&M Transportation Institute

Associate Research Scientists-edrington@tamu.edu

713-613-9207

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