By contrast, DRT users must sign up to a platform to access the service, providing (anonymized) personal data in the process. This instantly yields better insights into user demographics, location, and preferences that can be used to create user profiles. Once signed up, users book via app, so each ride is traceable to a specific user. This lets you know exactly who accesses the service, when, where, and for how long. Put together, these datasets allow transport planners to analyze in-depth the movements of specific individuals or groups and configure services accordingly. For example, by putting on more for heavy users, or providing active micromobility for younger demographics.
There are, however, some challenges with this approach. For example, the need to register can be a barrier to certain user groups like the elderly. It also excludes occasional visitors like tourists or those on a business trip or attending an event, hampering the ability to get a 360º view of transport use year-round. In addition, it’s always necessary to provide a backup phone line for anyone struggling to use the app but it can be harder to identify callers versus app users, which leads to further gaps in the data.
The key to overcoming these challenges is to get as many people as possible on board, literally and figuratively, with DRT. By raising awareness of the service and making it as easy as possible to register and use it, even for occasional visitors, we can achieve a more even distribution of users that better reflects society, minimizing data gaps relating to age, gender, social status, and digital literacy.
For more thought on transit services and accessibility, see our previous post on the subject.
30.03.20
The extraordinary measures set up to handle the coronavirus pandemic provide a view of what could happen with regards to battling the current climate crisis.
27.01.20
Munich Airport rolled out its new corporate shuttle service ShuttleMe which is based on Shotl’s on-demand mobility platform. This service represents a new and improved way for employees to move between multiple spaces at the airport site.
29.04.19
We are excited to announce that Shotl has won a Gold Award at the 2019 edition of The European Start-up Prize for Mobility (EUSP).