Carpool Transportation System

for UC Uptown Campus

Instructors: Francis Russell | Rainer Vomhofe
University of Cincinnati-Spring Semester, 2014|Masters Project |Final Report|
Congcong Xu, Rui Ma, Qian Chen, Yihan Liu


Table of Contents
1. Introduction ...........................................................................................................
2. Goal and Objectives...............................................................................................
2.1 Goal.......................................................................................................................................
2.2 Objectives...........................................................................................................................
3. Methodology............................................................................................................
3.1. Planning process guidance........................................................................................
3.1.1 Prerequisite...........................................................................................................
3.1.2 Synthesis.................................................................................................................
3.2. Questionnaire survey...................................................................................................
3.3. Summary matrix from case studies.......................................................................
4. Approach..................................................................................................................
4.1 Case 1...................................................................................................................................
4.2 Case 2...................................................................................................................................
4.3 Case 3...................................................................................................................................
4.4 Case 4...................................................................................................................................
4.5 Case 5...................................................................................................................................
5. Project Evaluation Filter......................................................................................
5.1 Livability.............................................................................................................................
5.1.1 Provide more transportation choices.........................................................
5.1.2 Promote equitable, affordable housing.....................................................
5.1.3 Enhance economic competitiveness..........................................................
5.1.4 Supports existing communities.....................................................................
5.1.5 Coordinate and leverage federal policies and investment.................
5.1.6 Value communities and neighborhoods....................................................
6. Preferred Plan........................................................................................................
6. 1. UC carpooling system user interface design.....................................................
6.1.1 Introduction...........................................................................................................
6.1.2 Workflow.................................................................................................................
6.1.3 Application.............................................................................................................
6.1.4 Introduction of scheduling a ride.................................................................
6.1.4.1 Add a ride........................................................................................................
6.1.4.2 Search a ride..................................................................................................
6.1.5 Online payment....................................................................................................
6.1.6 Rating........................................................................................................................
1
3
6
6
6
7
7
8
8
8
11
12
12
14
17
18
20
22
22
22
23
24
24
24
24
26
26
26
28
28
29
29
29
29
29
6.2 Car stops selection..........................................................................................................
6.3 Fees for UC carpooling service..................................................................................
6.4 Carpooling benefit plan................................................................................................
6.4.1 Parking.....................................................................................................................
6.4.2 Store discount.......................................................................................................
6.4.3 DAAP art store......................................................................................................
6.4.4 Bearcat tickets......................................................................................................
6.4.5 Bookstore................................................................................................................
6.4.6 Starbucks................................................................................................................
6.4.7 Food in the University........................................................................................
7. Further Study...........................................................................................................
7.1 Promotional Media Selection.....................................................................................
7.2 Decoration of Carpooling Vehicles..........................................................................
8. Conclusion................................................................................................................
9. Reference..................................................................................................................
2
30
34
35
35
36
37
37
37
37
37
39
39
40
41
43
Introduction
This project aims to provide a dynamic carpooling system utilizing technology to facilitate
meeting the needs of the University of Cincinnati students, faculty and staff. The goal of this
project is to construct a new way to provide a personal transit mode for public use within the
comprehensive transit network.
Carpooling is a transportation mode that allows 2 or more commuters to share rides in one
of their vehicles. In a carpool, commuters share driving, or one of them can be designated as
a permanent drives. The passengers share the expense of the ride. A good carpooling sched-
ule is flexible and economical in time and money.
The study area, which is the origin and destinations of the UC carpooling service, will be the
UC Uptown Campus, including the main campus (west) and the medical campus (east), ex-
cluding UC Victory Parkway Campuses. The total area of the study area is 294 acres. General-
I
N
T
R
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
N
Figure 1: Study area map
3
ly, the study area is a typical urban campus that has high-density buildings and is surrounded
by numerous employment centers. In fact, the study area itself is also an employment center.
Not only the study area, but also the surrounding area, has the need for a carpooling service
that is able to help students, faculty and staff in their daily commuting.
According to the University of Cincinnati Student Fact Book Autumn 2013, for the academic
year 2013-2014, the total number of students who study at UC uptown campus is 34,379. Ac-
cording to 2013-14 UC Faculty and Staff Population Report, the number of faculty and staff
who work at UC uptown campus is 14,011. Therefore, approximately 48,390 UC students,
faculty and staff are the target group of this project.
Regarding the commuting mode for daily home-school trips of the target group, the data
from the University of Cincinnati Transportation Survey: Travel Distance for CO2 Emissions
Estimation states that driving alone is the most popular way to commute. However, only
approximate 6.5 miles per week were traveled by carpooling in the target group. It indicates
that the outlook of a potential market for carpooling is quite optimistic.
In addition, this project will focus on identifying the locations for car stops on the UC cam-
puses. Technological support will focus on establishing user-friendly applications for smart
phones and real-time informative websites. Both applications and websites will help the
customers personalize their ride match.
For our project, the origin-and-end destination is the UC uptown campus. However, in the
future, we are projecting an expansion of destination locations determined by the needs of
the individuals in our transportation network.
This report focuses on introducing the University of Cincinnati carpooling service from the
following parts: Goals and Objectives, were used in the design of this project; Evaluation
Filter, which introduces Livability as the projects evaluation; Methodology, which includes
the NOOS (not only one solution), data support, and the summary of five case studies, is the
guidance of the entire design process; Approach, which details the five case studies; Pre-
ferred Options, which is the most important parts of the reports, introduces the online ride
C
A
R
P
O
O
L

T
R
A
N
S
P
O
R
T
A
T
I
O
N

S
Y
S
T
E
M
F
o
r

U
C

U
p
t
o
w
n

C
a
m
p
u
s
4
I
N
T
R
O
D
U
C
T
I
O
N
matching system workflow, system design, car stops selection, fares and rates, and the car-
poolers benefit plan. The Conclusion of the report discusses the risks and concerns, and
possible continued research for the future.
5
Goals and Objectives
2.1 Goal
Design a carpooling program exclusively for the students, faculty and staff on the UC Uptown
Campus, east and west.
2.2 Objectives
Use the NOOS process as the main tool for designing the entire project.
a. Determine which groups or individuals can participate.
b. Administer an interest-oriented survey, and the UC Carbon Footprint Survey.
c. Research existing carpool programs from universities throughout the United States.
d. Address environmental concerns and build social capital.
e. Create a user friendly website from workflow diagram.
f. Offer a rating system for both the driver and the passenger.
g. Establish campus car stops.
h. Develop and equitable pay schedule.
i. Secure parking spaces and perks.
j. Obtain motivational rewards from local businesses to promote membership.
k. Identify areas for further research.
C
A
R
P
O
O
L

T
R
A
N
S
P
O
R
T
A
T
I
O
N

S
Y
S
T
E
M
F
o
r

U
C

U
p
t
o
w
n

C
a
m
p
u
s
6
Methodology
3.1. Planning process guidance
For our project, the NOOS process, which stands for not-only-one-solution process, is the
main guidance for the entire project. The NOOS is from a book Urban Ecological Design:
A Process for Regenerative Places which was written by Danilo Palazzo and Frederick R.
Steiner in 2001. In this book, the two authors define the NOOS as a guide for managing an
urban ecologic project (Palazzo & Steiner, 2011). Therefore, this process focuses more on
environmental characteristics, ecological planning methods, and ecological footprints, etc.
It is a systemic, linear, and optimistic process. It encourages the planners to try to think
outside the box (Palazzo & Steiner, 2011), and to try to be more optimistic about the final
C
A
R
P
O
O
L

T
R
A
N
S
P
O
R
T
A
T
I
O
N

S
Y
S
T
E
M
M
E
T
H
O
D
O
L
O
G
Y
Figure2: The process of the NOOS
(Palazzo & Steiner, 2011)
result. There will not be just one solution.
The process is more important than the re-
sult. The process also suggests that different
situations and environmental features must
be taken into consideration by decision-mak-
ers. Unique solutions for their project should
be offered and explored instead of following
the same steps that others have done before.
Inspired by these two points from the NOOS,
the UC carpooling transportation system
project has attempted establish its unique
project structure for both of the final report
and for the future study. The core elements
of the project research structure are the first,
a linear process as main body and the sec-
ond, a more optimistic and realistic process
of thoughts and ideas as branches. More spe-
cifically, the main body includes the essential
steps that the process will follow, step by
7
step, to the conclusion. The branches are the supportive thoughts and ideas which are the
pathways for presenting the entire project. All in all, both the body and the branches are
under the guidance of the NOOS, and unique features of the projects, study area: the Univer-
sity of Cincinnati. The following points show how the NOOS principles guided the structural
establishment for the UC carpooling project.
3.1.1 Prerequisite
Environmental characteristics
This project is open only for UC students and employees. This limit of client environment
that needs to be established firstly. Secondly, the selection of car stops for drivers to pick
up and drop off passengers depends on the UC urban campus characteristics; high-density
of buildings and limited walking and parking spaces.
Techniques for listening to the clients demands
The project entailed an online survey for listening to the clients to determine if they wish
to participate in carpooling. It is a clients interest-oriented survey. There are only two
questions aimed at asking if the clients are interested in this project. In addition, we used
UC Carbon Footprint Survey which was designed by the sociology department providing
the clients travel modes data for their home-school trips.
3.1.2. Synthesis
Case studies
Five case studies from six carpooling programs provided this program examples that we
could learn from. In the literature review, key ideas were taken from those case studies,
and used in our project, such as carpoolers benefit plan, which includes discounted park-
ing price and campus stores discounts.
3.2. Questionnaire survey
The questionnaire survey were an important part of this project as data sources. From them,
we could easily know our target groups demand. There were two surveys administered for
this project, one was a designed interest-oriented survey. It was a two-question survey which
aimed at collecting the datum that how much interest our target group has for this program.
C
A
R
P
O
O
L

T
R
A
N
S
P
O
R
T
A
T
I
O
N

S
Y
S
T
E
M
F
o
r

U
C

U
p
t
o
w
n

C
a
m
p
u
s
8
We set up an online survey at kwiksurveys.com. The survey target was UC Graduate School
of Planning; total 70 students. The final results showed that 50% said yes and 50% said
No to the first question, Would you like to be a carpooler for your home-school trip? As
to the second question, If there is a carpooling system open only for UC students and em-
ployees, would you like to give it a try? we received 70% yes and 30% No. In conclusion,
even though half of the students surveyed would not like to be carpoolers in an unrestricted
population, 70% of the students would be willing to try it in a restricted population. Obvi-
ously, a carpooling service where the users are only UC students and employees would be
more reliable than a carpooling service for the general population. This has been taken into
consideration by the survey target.
The second part of the data the project used for supporting the analysis of the target group
demand was University of Cincinnati Transportation Survey: Travel Distance for CO2 Emis-
sions Estimation. It was designed by Steve Carlton-Ford and Katherine Durante who are
from Department of Sociology. First of all, it provided us the data of carbon emission from
different transit modes which support the environmental issue analysis. According to the
result of the survey from all the respondents for the typical 7-day weekly commute and for
yearly off-campus travel, driving alone to campus generates the most miles per week (ap-
proximate 73 miles per week, mean value), followed by carpooling (approximate 6.5 miles
per week, mean value). (Carlton-Ford& Durante, 2013)It indicated that driving alone has
far more carbon emission than carpooling. Second, the result of this survey provided us the
necessity of planning this project. This data proves that carpooling service is not popular
among UC target groups. Driving alone still is the most frequently used transit mode. All in
all, for reducing carbon emission and for the necessity of developing new personal transpor-
tation options, the data from the UC Carbon Footprint survey provides project with a strong
support.
M
E
T
H
O
D
O
L
O
G
Y
9
Figure 3: Selected statistics for weekly commute travel (Carlton-Ford& Durante, 2013)
Figure 4: Chart for selected statistics for weekly commute travel
C
A
R
P
O
O
L

T
R
A
N
S
P
O
R
T
A
T
I
O
N

S
Y
S
T
E
M
F
o
r

U
C

U
p
t
o
w
n

C
a
m
p
u
s
10
3.3. Summary matrix from case studies
The foregoing inspiration from the NOOS, literature review on five case studies provided
us the former lessons and experiences of other carpooling services from universities and
colleges. We selected the carpooling services in Universit Statale and Politecnico di Milano
Universities, Clemson University, the University of Maine, Princeton University, and the Uni-
versity of Washington. Carpooling services are popular and helpful among students, faculty
and staff. They are all supported by complete online ride matching system and executive
plan. Therefore, the matrix below presents the key ideas taken from these cases that in-
spired this project in benefit plan for carpoolers, target group selection, website establish-
ment and payment method selection.
Summary Matrix of Five Case Studies
Name of University Beneit Plan Website Estabishment Target Group
Universit Statale and
Politecnico di Milano
Universities
Clemson University
University of Maine
Princeston University
University of
Washington
1.1 Reserved parking lots
2.1 Frequently asked
questions
2.2 Carpool rules
2.3 Rideshare online
database
1.2 Parking discount
1.3 Carpooling label
1.4 Carpooling permit
decal
1.5 Free parking
1.6 Emergency ride home
1.7 Gas card
1.8 Carpooling hangtag
1.9 Nearby parking
location
1.10 Free parking
1.11 Bonus on monthly
ride
1.12 Bonus on
business stores
1.1; 1.2
1.3; 1.4;
1.8; 1.9
1.5; 1.6;
1.7;1.10
1.11; 1.12
2.1; 2.2;
2.3
3.1; 3.2;
3.3; 3.4;
3.5;3.7
3.6
Feasible
Infeasible
3.1 Students, faculty,
employees
3.2 Membership
3.3 2 or more people
a group
3.4 2 or more people
a group
3.5 Faculty & Staff
3.6 Volunteers
3.7 Faculty & Staff
* Feasible Infeasible
Figure 5: Summary matrix of five case studies
M
E
T
H
O
D
O
L
O
G
Y
11
Approach
Case 1
Carpooling system in the Universit Statale and Politecnico di Milano Uni-
versities
It is a website based carpooling system that serves the students, faculty and staff at the Uni-
versit Statale and Politecnico di Milano Universities in Milan, Italy. In Italy, the National
Legislature in 1998 on sustainable mobility pushed the promotion of a carpooling system.
Under national legislation, the carpooling system began earlier and developed more than in
the US. This case was selected because it had many aspects that could be applied to the plan
of carpooling system at the University of Cincinnati. Basically, these two cases have many as-
pects in common, but there still exist some situations that are different from each other. For
the review of this case study, we are going to focus on the aspects of that plan which could
apply to UC.
The similarities
4.1.1. Involving the universities in Italy and in Cincinnati, both of the cases are about car-
pooling systems that are based on the university environment, and for a target group that
includes the students, faculty and staff that study and work in the university. For the target
group selection, both of the cases considered all the students, faculty and staff that have
the same the highly educated background. Building a carpooling system in such a group
lends itself to the establishment of reliability among carpoolers. Since the carpooling sys-
tem is also working on building partnerships and social platforms, carpoolers who share
the same background will be easier to exchange information and communicate.
4.1.2. The goals the carpooling system promotes are considered generally the environ-
mental issues, including air quality, gas pollution, and climate change emissions, etc. From
the target groups perspective, parking congestion and the time spent on commuting, and
the cost of each trip are also of great importance. Not only are the home-work trips a daily
issue for the target group, the people who are campus bound from out of town, but also,
depend on transportation for multi-purposes such as shopping, site visits, airport trips,
etc. All in all, both cases are trying to promote an economical and convenient green tran-
C
A
R
P
O
O
L

T
R
A
N
S
P
O
R
T
A
T
I
O
N

S
Y
S
T
E
M
F
o
r

U
C

U
p
t
o
w
n

C
a
m
p
u
s
12
mode for the target group.
Ideas taken away
4.1.3. Questionnaire survey
The plan developed for UC has the data support from a survey named the University of
Cincinnati Transportation Survey: Travel Distance for CO2 Emissions Estimation by Steve
Carlton-Ford and Katherine Durante from the Department of Sociology. The result of the
survey provides the percentage of the target group that commutes everyday, and way they
do it. However, the plan does not have data support so far about the willingness that target
group to participate in the carpooling service.
In the Universit Statale and Politecnico di Milano Universities carpooling case, the pro-
motion group conducted three web-based surveys. Survey identified the residential loca-
tions of the target group, and the transit modes taken for home-work based trips. A total
46% of the students who used the car stated they would to be interested in participating
in carpooling with other students. (Bruglieri, Ciccarelli, Colornia & Lua, 2011) This kind
of result from the online survey should be part of the data support we expected to receive
for UC project.
4.1.4. Reliability development
There is a restriction in the carpooling system of Universit Statale and Politecnico di
Milano Universities. Only students, faculty and staff of the two universities can register to
be members of the system. This restriction provides an effective way to build trust and re-
liability among the target group. In addition, the system also has a social network function.
In this system, both the drivers and the passengers have the right to see the companions
profile in the ride, and can decide if they are willing to share the ride with them. Therefore,
sharing a ride with friends will increase the reliability in carpool with them.
4.1.5. Cost and benefit analysis
The clear-cost savings and benefit plan in this carpooling system could be a part of the
plan for UC project. Clearly, the carpoolers are able to save money on their trip to work
and study; on the other hand, the drivers can also save money through expenses reimbur-
A
P
P
R
O
A
C
H
13
sement buy their passengers. In order to promote this service among target group, offer-
ing benefits which can attract students and employees is necessary. The result from the
survey mentioned above showed that 33% of the students would like to try the benefits
provided by the carpooling service, such as reserved parking spots in the campus garage
for drivers and the sharing of the rides with other certified university students. These
ideas can be a part of the marketing ideas for UC carpooling project.
Case 2
Carpool Program in Clemson University
The carpool program of Clemson University was initiated with an array of incentive, includ-
ing discounted and convenient parking for groups of 2 or more people, encouraging all uni-
versity faculty, staff, and students who have vehicles to participate in this program.
Ideas taken away
4.2.1. Rules and criteria
Clemson University operates the program in detail outlining specific rules and criteria for
the carpool vehicles.
For the ride:
The carpool vehicles must accommodate of 2 or more people.
Participants must share the basis ride, at least 4 days a week.
All participants must submit an application form and documents.
For the carpool applicants:
Each carpool applicant in the carpool must complete his or her part of the carpool
application.
Each carpool applicant must provide his or her Clemson University ID.
Each carpool applicant must provide proof of residency.
Each carpool applicant must have and provide proof of his or her own separate vehi-
cle ownership.
Each carpool applicant serving as a Graduate Research Assistant must provide verifi-
cation of his or her schedule from an advisor.
C
A
R
P
O
O
L

T
R
A
N
S
P
O
R
T
A
T
I
O
N

S
Y
S
T
E
M
F
o
r

U
C

U
p
t
o
w
n

C
a
m
p
u
s
14
For carpool vehicles:
All carpool vehicles must be sent a
special hangtag and show it on the car.
Specific location for carpool vehicles.
Carpooling time period in daytime.
Any changes to the carpool partici-
pants must be declared to Parking Ser-
vices within 3 business days. This in-
cludes addition, deletion, or changes to
the members.
All these criteria are necessary, and can be
applied in our project. Before implement-
ing our program, we should know where
all the participants live, and their carpool
time periods. Having necessary informa-
tion is the first step, and will be accom-
plished from the submission of the applic-
Figure 6: Clemson University carpool application form
(Source: http://www.clemson.edu/campus-life/cam-
pus-services/parking/multimedia/pdf/Carpool_ap-
plication)
ation form. Because the program is only for faculty, staff and full-time students at UC, ap-
plications should include copies of take their student ID cards to provide their identifica-
tion.
4.2.2. Discounted and convenient parking locations
The current vehicle being used to carpool must display the carpool hangtag and decal
while parked in a carpooling parking space.
Each group will receive one carpool hangtag that can be used on any vehicle regis-
tered to the group.
Each individual participant in the carpool will receive a carpool permit decal to place
on their own vehicle.
Each participant is allotted 5 Occasional Parker Permits every semester. If a particip-
A
P
P
R
O
A
C
H
15
ant in a carpool needs to drive separately from their registered carpool group, they are
expected to use their Occasional Parker Permit to park for the day and they must park
according to their normal designation (not in a carpool space). Participants may also
purchase additional Occasional Parker Permits at the regular price rate, $3 per day.
The cost of the carpool permit:
o Full-time Commuting Student
o 1-2 days a week, beneft eligible Faculty/Staf
o 3 days a week, beneft eligible Faculty/Staf
o 4 days a week, beneft eligible Faculty/Staf
o All workdays, beneft eligible Faculty/Staf
In addition to the cost of the carpool permit, carpooling fees are also needed for each car-
pool vehicle, including parking fees and gasoline fees. When two or more people share one
car, they become a group, and so they pay the carpooling fees together for one car. This not
only provides convenience for the participants, but also reduces the cost of parking and
gasoline.
C
A
R
P
O
O
L

T
R
A
N
S
P
O
R
T
A
T
I
O
N

S
Y
S
T
E
M
F
o
r

U
C

U
p
t
o
w
n

C
a
m
p
u
s
$37.50 per semester
$ 6.75 per semester
$21.00 per semester
$33.00 per semester
$42.00 per semester
Figure 7: Figure: Clemson University carpool parking space locations and names
(Source: http://www.clemson.edu/campus-life/campus-services/parking/carpoolprogram.html)
16
A small parking space for carpool vehicles could be made on UC main campus and east
campus. Carpool vehicles would pay the parking fees but at a discounted amount. Parking
in designated place, would reduce parking the in employees spaces, saving them time and
trouble finding a new place to park. Carpool parking spaces could be reserved in many of
the parking garages and lots. These spaces are typically located near building entrances.
For our project, we plan to set up some car stops on the UC campus. These stops will not
occupy much space, and each vehicle that stops at the designated place will have promi-
nently displayed a special sticker or decal identifying it as an official carpooling car. The
sticker or decal will be displayed on the front windshield so UC students and employees
waiting for the carpool vehicle can identify the car immediately.
4.2.3. Carpooling time
Clemson University set a carpooling time operating between 8 am and 4 pm each day/
per school week. During this time frame, every participant can take and share the ride,
but beyond this specified time period, participants will have to use alternative modes of
transportation. Our apps, designed to provide flexibility during operational hours will not
be in use beyond the designated time frame.
4.2.4. Website
There is a Frequently Asked Questions part on the Clemson University Carpooling web-
site which is really useful and convenient to let participants know how it works. This, too,
could be incorporated in our project after it has been in effect for a while.
Case 3
The University of Maine
The University of Maines carpool program has been built to benefit its participants. All the
members of the carpooling program are expected to be knowledgeable of carpooling rules
and campus regulations. The goal of creating the rules and regulations for campus parking
is to keep the flow of traffic orderly and to the maximize the utilization of parking facilities.
A
P
P
R
O
A
C
H
17
4.3.1. For member of the carpool program who is travelling by car alone, neither the car-
pooling permit nor the free parking pass is available for use.
4.3.2. A temporary parking permit is limited, 10 times for each semester.
Register information for ride-match
Carpoolers should ride with two or more people in the same vehicle. All carpooling mem-
bers must register online to get the basic information and data for the program that will
help find quick and convenient ride-matches with individuals who have the same sched-
ules or who live in nearby communities. The program will offer carpooling clusters. The
program makes it easy to create carpooling stops. To keep the members information se-
cure is the programs responsibility.
Case 4
Princeton University
The Rideshare Carpool is a free carpool service for faculty and students in Princeton Uni-
versity, and the participation is voluntary. How the service works, and some basic criteria
for the service are similar to what Clemson University has. The most significant distinction
between them is that Princeton has its own Rideshare Database along with the information
requested on their online form.
Ideas taken away
4.4.1. Rideshare database
The Rideshare Database is showing as Figure 8:
By registering, you become a member, and can log in the online database. The screen will
need you to enter your information so that it can connect you with another potential car-
pool candidate. Choose where the destination you proposed to go, but dont put the exact
address. A common location with landmark is preferable. Once you have finished, you may
wait for someone to contact you, or you can view List Rides to see if someone meets your
criteria.
For additional requests, there is a Comments Box for posting additional information. Mo-
C
A
R
P
O
O
L

T
R
A
N
S
P
O
R
T
A
T
I
O
N

S
Y
S
T
E
M
F
o
r

U
C

U
p
t
o
w
n

C
a
m
p
u
s
18
reover, you can update your information anytime.
4.4.2. Ride matching website and smart phone app
The website and smart phone app are the tools our project uses for people to choose car-
pool destination so the Rideshare Database is a really good model for our use.
Figure 8: Princeton University carpooling online database
(Source: http://www.princeton.edu/parking/rideshare.html)
We could design a simple web-
site for our UC Carpool Service
like Princeton University. All
participants could use their
university username or cre-
ate a new username and pass-
word to join this service. After
become a member, they could
choose their destination, list
their carpool criteria, enter the
contact information, and then
simply wait for the reply.
A
P
P
R
O
A
C
H
19
Case 5
U-PASS: University of Washingtons Transportation Management Program
The U-PASS system is a multi-faceted and flexible program at the University of Washingtons
Transportation. It is integrated in many sectors which include carpooling sector and busi-
ness sector as an auxiliary function to promote and attract people (the target population
being mainly students) to join in the U-PASS system. In the case study, the program uses a
lot of marketing strategies to attract students to carpooling. The U-PASS program combines
the transit pass with student ID. If the student participates in the program, it will provide
discounts for some businesses and provide other conveniences for target groups. Saving
money and reducing traffic congestion are the main purposes of the program, and its flex-
ibility which encourages to students to use this transit model.
The U-PASS program displays prominent sign to attract target groups to join in the program.
RIGHT Figure 9: University of Washington carpool riders sign form
(source: https://www.washington.edu/facilities/transportation/commuterservices/carpool-vanpool-info)
Ideas taken away
4.5.1. Free parking
Free parking will be available when you drive with someone else. The university will sup-
ply free parking to the staff and faculty for carpooling, if the driver and at least one passen-
ger have U-PASS. Free parking will be available for students carpooling in groups of three
or more, if all of the passenger and driver have a U-PASS.
This carpool
wants riders.
Origin place and time
Destination place
Contact name and email
C
A
R
P
O
O
L

T
R
A
N
S
P
O
R
T
A
T
I
O
N

S
Y
S
T
E
M
F
o
r

U
C

U
p
t
o
w
n

C
a
m
p
u
s
20
4.5.2. Bonus
If the target groups have a U-PASS, the program will offer $40 towards a students monthly
rides with someone else.
If the target groups have a U-PASS, they can get up to 25% off designated merchandise
when they go to the local business store.
Taken as a whole, a person could save $500 a year using the U-PASS.
4.5.3. Social
Passengers in the U-PASS will get acquainted with more friends, expand their social circle,
and more be able to communicate with more people.
2
5
T
H
A
V
E
N
E
R
A
V
E
N
N
A
A
V
E
N
E
NE 55TH ST
NE BLAKELEY ST
NE60TH ST
NE 50TH ST
NE 50TH ST
NE 56TH ST
NE 47TH ST
NE RAVENNA BLVD
NE 56TH ST
1
5
T
H
A
V
E
N
E
NE 58TH ST
3
0
T
H
A
V
E
N
E
3
6
T
H
A
V
E
N
E
NE 55TH ST
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON SEATTLE CAMPUS
WALK/BIKE ZONE (NOT ELIGIBLE FOR UW CARPOOL PERMIT)
NORTH
5/2010
S
T
E
V
E
N
S
W
A
Y
1
7
T
H
A
V
E
N
E
2
8
T
H
A
V
E
N
E
3
0
T
H
A
V
E
N
E
NE 45TH ST
NE 45TH ST NE 45TH ST
M
O
N
T
L
A
K
E
A
V
E
N
E
PORTAGE BAY
UNION BAY
SR 520
SR 520
SR 520
C
O
LU
M
B
IA
R
D
2
5
T
H
A
V
E
N
E
N
E PA
C
IFIC
ST
NE PACIFIC ST
I
-
5
I
-
5
I
-
5
E
A
S
T
L
A
K
E
A
V
E
E
E
E
V
A
E
K
A
L
T
S
A
E
E MCGRAW ST
B
O
Y
E
R
A
V
E
E
W
M
O
N
T
L
A
K
E
P
L
E
2
4
T
H
A
V
E
E
2
4
T
H
A
V
E
E
M
O
N
T
L
A
K
E
B
R
D
G
E HAMLIN ST
E
N
E
V
A
H
T
5
1
F
A
IR
V
IE
W
A
V
E
E
F
U
H
R
M
A
N
A
V
E
E
LAKE UNION
NE NORTHLAKE WAY
NE PACIFIC ST
NE 40TH ST
NE PAC IFIC PL
D
R
A
L
L
A
W
A
L
L
A
W
W
A
L
L
A
W
A
L
L
A
R
D
C
L
A
R
K
R
D
C
A
N
A
L
R
D
S
T
E
V
E
N
S
W
A
Y
Y
W
L
AI
R
O
M
E
M
CAMPUS PRKY
NE 41ND ST
NE 40TH ST
E
N
Y
A
W
Y
TI
S
R
E
VI
N
U
NE 42ND ST
E
N
E
V
A
H
T
1
1
E
N
E
V
A
H
T
1
1
E
N
Y
A
W
T
L
E
V
E
S
O
O
R
NE 45TH ST
NE 48TH ST
NE 50TH ST
E
N
Y
A
W
T
L
E
V
E
S
O
O
R
1
5
T
H
A
V
E
N
E
WALK/BIKE ZONE
(NO CARPOOL ZONE: NOT ELIGIBLE FOR UW CARPOOL PERMIT)
E
N
E
V
A
H
T
1
1
E
A
S
T
L
A
K
E
A
V
E
E
NE 50TH ST
NE 47TH ST
E
N
E
V
A
H
T
9
E
N
E
V
A
H
T
7
NE 47TH ST
T
H
A
C
K
E
R
Y
P
L
N
E
E
N
E
V
A
D
N
2
NE 55TH ST
NE60TH ST
2
8
T
H
A
V
E
N
E
P
E
N
D
O
R
E
IL
L
E
R
D
PAYLOCATIONSFORIMPROMPTUCARPOOLS
4.5.4. Environment
If the target groups have a U-PASS and ride
with someone else, the result will reduce
the air pollution. The more students who
ride in one car or share a car to go to the
university, decreases the number of car on
the road. Therefore, carbon dioxide emis-
sions will be reduced. The benefits to en-
vironmentally sustainable development
would be obvious.
Figure 10: The University of Washington walk and
bike Zone
(Source: https://www.washington.edu/facilities/
transportation/commuterservices/files/images/no-
carpoolmap.pdf)
A
P
P
R
O
A
C
H
21
Project Evaluation Filter
5.1 Livability
Livability is to use transportation investments to improve the standard of living, the environ-
ment, and quality of life for all communities, rural, suburban and urban . Carpooling solves
several mobility, affordable housing, land use and equity issues. These issues like mobility,
transportation choices, and environmental quality are often referred to as livability.
The following categories of livability can be positively affected by carpooling.
Provide more transportation choices
Promote equitable, affordable housing
Enhance economic competitiveness
Support existing communities
Coordinate and leverage federal policies and investment
Value communities and neighborhoods
5.1.1. Provide more transportation choices
Transportation choices are an important factor of livable communities because they pro-
vide more flexibility to travelers to adapt their time and location. In rural areas, being a
carpooler not only reduces private vehicle use, but it is also good for environment, it also
provides convenient access to alternative transportation to meet carpoolers travel needs.
Carpooling develops safe, reliable, and economical transportation costs, reducing our na-
tions dependence on foreign oil, improving air quality, reducing greenhouse gas emis-
sions, and promoting public health, and providing one more commuting mode choice for
carpoolers.
Our goal is to develop a more comprehensive transit network for the students, faculty
and staff on the Uptown Campus. Currently, public buses, taxis, and bikes are the transit
modes people can use for their daily transportation. However, there are existing disadvan-
tages which create obvious disadvantages. First, the group of people who have low or no
incomes and cannot afford to have private cars usually choose metro buses as their transit
C
A
R
P
O
O
L

T
R
A
N
S
P
O
R
T
A
T
I
O
N

S
Y
S
T
E
M
F
o
r

U
C

U
p
t
o
w
n

C
a
m
p
u
s
22
mode since it is cheap. However, the period of time between two buses is fairly long. This
is a waste of time for people on good weather days and a disaster for those on extremely
cold or rainy ones. Second, taking taxis would be a comfortable transit option to save time,
but the price for each trip is extremely expensive. Third, biking is the most environmental
friendly and low cost transit mode, but low speed and weather conditions make it unsuit-
able for long-distance travel.
Compared with the transit options discussed above, carpooling is an option that not only
provides low cost trips, but make people feel comfortable while saving time. Carpooling
would be a part of the current transit network that provides people one more option to
travel.
Carpooling also mitigates traffic congestion and reduces vehicle emissions reducing the
carbon footprint, and improving air quality. As more people participate in the carpooling
program, there will be fewer vehicles on the road, which will alleviate the parking pres-
sure for both on-campus and surrounding areas, and reduces the demand for fuel. Using
the same car can save money for both drivers and passengers by spending less for gas and
parking fees.
5.1.2. Promote equitable, affordable housing
Housing and transportation costs tend to be increase as the distance in travel increases.
For the wealthy, it is not a big deal, while for the poor, they must own a vehicle to provide
access to their desired destinations, or pay for public transportation which can be both
time consuming and inconvenient. By carpooling and ridesharing, the cost of transporta-
tion and the additional cost of vehicle ownership will be reduced, which will then provide
people the affordability of living in these areas.
Carpooling vehicles can reduce the demand for parking spaces, and let developers use
these spaces for other building uses, like green spaces, or combined housing. Carpool-
ing simultaneously lowers transportation cost, mitigates roadway congestion, reduce the
demand and cost for fuel and gasoline that lowers pollution from vehicles and protect the
environment.
P
R
O
J
E
C
T

E
V
A
L
U
A
T
I
O
N

F
I
L
T
E
R
23
5.1.3 Enhance economic competitiveness.
The carpooling program could help stimulate employment opportunities. Some neighbor-
hoods have developed in outlying suburban areas. These areas have public transporta-
tion services. Because of that, public transportation is both difficult and expensive to use.
Carpooling can become an essential component of accessibility for the economic develop-
ment of these neighborhoods. Reducing expenditures for commuting expenses (school to
home) is desirable for neighborhoods. Carpooling is one of the ways to achieve this goal. It
is an effective way to help people decrease daily travelling expenses such as gas, oil, main-
tenance, and parking fees. Time is money for each person; It follows the that time saved is
money saved. Carpooling saves both time and money enhancing economic competiveness.
5.1.4. Supports existing communities
The Carpooling gives residents more options in transportation choice for commuting trav-
el (school to home). Increasing the number of private cars will affect existing communities
because the unique character of historic, walkable neighborhoods will be weakened by the
increased demand for parking. Cluttering the areas of communities, which have history
characteristics, will reduce the number of tourists and tend to weaken its urban fabric and
uniqueness. Carpooling is a good way to keep the characteristics of community and attrac-
tion visitors.
5.1.5. Coordinate and leverage federal policies and investment
Carpooling provids an opportunity to mitigate the need for large roadway expansion ex-
penditures. Increasing the number of private vehicles causes increased infrastructure and
construction and maintenance costs on roads. Government must spend lots money on
maintenance and road repair to reduce the traffic jams and road congestion problems,
which will have negative impacts on natural and social resources. Carpooling reduces the
need for costly highway and transit capacity expansion. Government can use this money
to protect natural and environmental resources necessary.
5.1.6. Value communities and neighborhoods
Carpooling enhances the unique characteristics of all communities by investing in health-
ful and walkable neighborhoods in rural, urban or suburban areas. Carpooling reduces
the need for personal vehicles, which in turn supports compact, walkable neighborhoods,
C
A
R
P
O
O
L

T
R
A
N
S
P
O
R
T
A
T
I
O
N

S
Y
S
T
E
M
F
o
r

U
C

U
p
t
o
w
n

C
a
m
p
u
s
24
P
R
O
J
E
C
T

E
V
A
L
U
A
T
I
O
N

F
I
L
T
E
R
and enhances the social relationships, communication, and information exchange among
neighbors and schoolmates.
25
Livability Principles Connection to Carpooling
Provide more transportation choices.
Develop safe, reliable, and economical
transportation choices to decrease household
transportation costs, reduce our nations
dependence on foreign oil, improve air quality,
reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and promote
public health.
Develops safe, reliable, economical
transportation costs, and provides
additional affordable transportation
options
Reduces nations dependence on foreign
oil
Reduces greenhouse gas emissions,
improves air quality, and promoting public
health
Promote equitable, affordable housing.
Expand location- and energy-efficient housing
choices for people of all ages, incomes, races,
and ethnicities to increase mobility and lower
the combined cost of housing and
transportation.

Reduces the demand for parking spaces
Reduces the need for vehicle ownership
Mitigates roadway congestion and
improves life quality
Enhance economic competitiveness.
Improve economic competitiveness through
reliable and timely access to employment
centers, educational opportunities, services
and other basic needs by workers, as well as
expanded business access to markets.
Stimulates employment opportunities
Reduces expenditures for commuting
expenses
Saves both time and money enhancing
economic competiveness
Reduces traffic jams and remission issues
during rush hours
Support existing communities.
Target federal funding toward existing
communities -- through strategies like transit-
oriented, mixed-use development and land
recycling -- to increase community
revitalization and the efficiency of public
works investments and safeguard rural
landscapes.


Keeps the characteristics of community
and attraction visitors
Supports compact, walkable land use
patterns typical of existing and historic
communities
Coordinate and leverage federal policies
and investment.
Align federal policies and funding to remove
barriers to collaboration, leverage funding, and
increase the accountability and effectiveness of
all levels of government to plan for future
growth, including making smart energy choices
such as locally generated renewable energy.



Mitigates the need for large roadway
expansion expenditures
Lowers infrastructure, construction and
maintenance costs on roads
Reduces the need for costly highway and
transit capacity expansion
Value communities and neighborhoods.
Enhance the unique characteristics of all
communities by investing in healthy, safe, and
walkable neighborhoods -- rural, urban, or
suburban.
Enhances the unique characteristics of all
communities by investing in healthful and
walkable neighborhoods in rural, urban or
suburban areas
Enhances the social relationships,
communication, and information exchange
among neighbors and schoolmates

Figure 11: Livaility principles matrix
Preferred Plan
6.1 UC carpooling system user interface design
6.1.1. Introduction
For this project, we designed two systems of user interfaces; one for the website, the other
is for the smart phone. These two systems are similar with one major difference. Member-
ship applications can be submitted through the website, but not through the smart phones.
There is only one principle that is applied to building our system: easy to use. On the web-
site, there is a brief introduction about this project. In addition, we presented a workflow
to show the user how to submit the application, how to book a ride, how to finish an online
payment (one of the payment options), and how to rate the partners. This system will be
a helpful tool for the carpoolers. It provides the carpoolers an easy and highly efficient
way to complete the process of sharing a ride online by using either the computer or the
smart phones. For the administrator, the system is not only easy to install, it also organizes
the rides that are offered or requested by the carpoolers in order. Furthermore, it offers a
platform for carpoolers to report problem when they post or cancel rides. The administra-
tors can send their responses to the problems out through this system. The following is the
workflow, and the highlight of the operation of this system.
Figure 12: UC carpooling service smart phone application (uccarpooling.weebly.com)
C
A
R
P
O
O
L

T
R
A
N
S
P
O
R
T
A
T
I
O
N

S
Y
S
T
E
M
F
o
r

U
C

U
p
t
o
w
n

C
a
m
p
u
s
26
P
R
E
F
E
R
R
E
D

P
L
A
N
Figure 13: UC carpooling service website (uccarpooling.weebly.com)
27
6.1.2. Workflow
6.1.3. Application
As shown in the workflow, the UC carpooling service has two organizations of carpoolers:
one is organized as group carpoolers, and the other is organized as individual carpoolers.
All of the carpoolers who would like to take this benefit plan need to submit applications
online. Since this carpooling service is only open for the students, faculty and staff of UC,
in addition to submitting a regular name and email address, the applicant must summit an
accurate UC ID number as it is the most important information for the application. Out of
safety concerns, all profiles of carpooling appliers will be checked, and only qualified ap-
plicants will be accepted as formal members of the UC carpooling service. All applications
are private, and the information on them will be protected from public disclosure by the
UC carpooling service. The driver must provide proof of car insurance, and have no record
of prior traffic violations.

Workflow
Group
Carpoolers
Individual
Carpoolers
Application
Log in
Offer a ride Request a ride Search a ride
Contact
Take the ride
Pay
Rate
Figure 14: Workflow diagram for online carpooling system
C
A
R
P
O
O
L

T
R
A
N
S
P
O
R
T
A
T
I
O
N

S
Y
S
T
E
M
F
o
r

U
C

U
p
t
o
w
n

C
a
m
p
u
s
28
P
R
E
F
E
R
R
E
D

P
L
A
N
6.1.4. Introduction of scheduling a ride
For the individual carpoolers, scheduling a ride is the essential function of this system.
Basically, posting or cancelling rides online is a dynamic process. All the rides which are
offered or requested by the carpoolers, will be posted through the system. Once the driver
and the passengers agree to share the same ride, they will receive an email from the system
to confirm the route and date for the ride. The system will also offer contact information
for both drivers and passengers in a ride, in order to communicate the detail of the ride.
6.1.4.1. Add a ride
If the carpoolers who are the drivers, they should use the offer (a ride) function to
add a ride. For the rides they offered, the drivers need to specify not only the route and
departure time, but also the price of the ride per person. For the carpoolers who will be
the passenger, they should use the request (a ride) function. The requested informa-
tion in the search would be the key words of the origins, the destinations or both, and
the departure time.
6.1.4.2. Search a ride
This function is designed for the carpoolers who would like to see if there are any rides
to the right place which depart at the right time. It is a way to avoid adding repeated
rides.
6.1.5. Online payment
Paying the ride by cash is a direct way to pay, but in case the passenger has no cash or the
driver has no change. You can paying your ride online and avoid hassle.
6.1.6. Rating
Rating is the last step of the entire carpooling process. The rating system we designed
offers opportunities for carpoolers to give feedback about the ride they shared. In the sys-
tem, they are able to rate the carpoolers not only their collaboration and service, but also
for their attitude and punctuality. The rating of each carpooler can also be a reference for
future rating review. Carpoolers are able to review each others rating before the ride,
which helps them with partner selection. Moreover, carpoolers can add their comments,
29
either suggestions, or problems met before or after carpooling. For instance, if a carpooler
has a driver who has bad punctuality, the carpooler can type the details about this prob-
lem; Meanwhile, the systems database will receive and record this problem description
after verifying it. Rating provides the administration assistance with the suggestions and
comments from carpoolers, which help to better develop the service our project provides
to our carpooling community.
As to the operation of our online rating system, each carpooler needs to simply log in to
their account, type in the name of the carpooler, and give the rating score, which is from
1 to 10 with 10 being the best. Next, the carpooler needs to rate the ride, using the same
score scale in the next text box. Last, which is optional, the carpooler can specify sugges-
tions and comments in the text box. If the carpooler would like to add another rating, sim-
ply start the same process again.
6.2 Car stops selection
Figure 15: Campus car stop exterior design
Out of safety and convenience concern for the carpoolers, UC carpooling service has de-
signed car stops for picking up and dropping off. These car stops are spread all through the
UC main campus and east campus areas. Most of the car stops are close to the motorcycle
parking spots, UC shuttle stops, and campus garage entrances. These locations have been
C
A
R
P
O
O
L

T
R
A
N
S
P
O
R
T
A
T
I
O
N

S
Y
S
T
E
M
F
o
r

U
C

U
p
t
o
w
n

C
a
m
p
u
s
30
selected according to the site visits and design principles which allows all the carpoolers
to have better access to the meeting point and dropping off point.
From the site visits, we found out that compared to the parking lots, motorcycle parking
spots have better accessibility for short-time parking. Plus, we determined in our design
principle that the distance between the car stops and the closest major buildings must
within 5-10 minutes walk.
Speaking of UC shuttle stops, those spots are already designed for UC shuttle to pick up
and drop off passengers. Therefore, students, faculty and staff who use the shuttle service
not only would be familiar with those locations, but also would have a better recognition
of new carpooling stops.
Last, the selection of the garage entrances is mainly due to the consideration of vehicle
accessibility, open space, and peoples recognition of landmarks. From the conclusion of
our site visits, all the garage entrances are with vehicle accessibility and quite safe with
wide open space for cars to turn around if drivers need to do so. Moreover, since all of the
garages on the UC campuses are landmarks, to some extent, they provide a better chance
for carpoolers to name the locations when they add or request rides online.
In conclusion, there are a total 17 car stops for picking up and dropping off on both the
UC main campus and the east campus. Among them, 9 stops are on the east campus and 8
stops are on the main campus.
The following are the locations for each of the car stops.
Main campus:
Car stop No.1: at the entrance of the Clifton Garage.
Car stop No.2: at the entrance of the DAAP building, close to a motorcycle parking spot.
Car stop No.3: at the entrance of the University Plaza, along McMicken Circle.
Car stop NO.4: at the circle in Stratford Heights.
Car stop No.5: at the CCM Plaza.
Car stop No.6: on Campus Green Drive.
P
R
E
F
E
R
R
E
D

P
L
A
N
31
Car stop No.7: on the intersection between Commons Way and West University Avenue.
Car stop No.8: at the entrance of the Corry Garage.
East campus:
Car stop No.9: at the entrance of the Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
Car stops No.10: at the entrance of Lot 13, on Shields Streets.
Car stops No.11: at the entrance of the Eden Avenue Garage.
Car stops No.12: at the entrance of Lot 11, close to a motorcycle parking spot.
Car stop No.13: at the entrance of Childrens Hospital Medical Research Center, Location S.
Car stop No.14: at the west entrance of Logan Hall, close to a motorcycle parking spot.
Car stop No.15: on the driveway between University Hospital and Barrett Center.
Car stop No 16: in the front of the University Medical Arts Building, on Piedmont Avenue.
Car stop No.17: at the entrance of the Goodman Street Garage, on Piedmont Avenue.
Figure 16: Car stops map of the main campus
C
A
R
P
O
O
L

T
R
A
N
S
P
O
R
T
A
T
I
O
N

S
Y
S
T
E
M
F
o
r

U
C

U
p
t
o
w
n

C
a
m
p
u
s
32
Figure 17: Car stops map of the east campus
P
R
E
F
E
R
R
E
D

P
L
A
N
33
6.3 Fees for UC carpooling service
For Groups
Two or more people can register as a group to share the parking fee for whole semester.
They can carpooling every weekday without paying any extra money for the service.
For Individual
The driver can input the origin and destination on the website. The carpooling project
website, it will give a standard fare showing how much money per mile to calculate as a
recommendation, but the drivers will decide the final fares. The price usually includes the
gas, parking fees, usage and so forth. The driver needs to post how much money for each
carpooler so that the driver and passengers agree on the departure/destination places,
and the individual cost contribution. There is no agency involvement or administrative fee
for the service.
Cost calculator
The cost calculator should be used as a rough guide to calculate how much each passen-
gers should pay the driver based on the current price for fuel.
The recommended price is merely a recommendation and should not be taken as the
absolute fairest price (or lowest limit). The final costs are agreed upon by the driver
and passenger before the journey starts. (www.carpooling.com)The drivers can enter
the cost per mile, and the distance of the journey to calculate a fixed cost.
For example:
Price per mile: SELECT $
Distance of Journey: INPUT miles
Recommended Price per Passenger: CALCULATE $
C
A
R
P
O
O
L

T
R
A
N
S
P
O
R
T
A
T
I
O
N

S
Y
S
T
E
M
F
o
r

U
C

U
p
t
o
w
n

C
a
m
p
u
s
34
P
R
E
F
E
R
R
E
D

P
L
A
N
6.4 Carpooling benefit plan
6.4.1. Parking
For the UC Carpooling Project, both group carpoolers and individual carpooler need
to pay parking fees for whole semester if they park in the campuses garages. The UC
Carpooling project provides a discount for all the carpoolers. All the carpoolers get 20%
off from the regular UC parking fees. The following tables show the discounted price for
carpoolers parking fees.
Figure 18: Discounted parking price table 1
Facility Fall Semester Spring Semester Academic Year
CCM Garage $374 $412 $786
Calhoun Garage $325 $358 $683
Stratford Garage $281 $309 $590
Corry Garage $187 $206 $393
Facility Fall Semester Spring Semester Academic Year
Eden Avenue Garage (Levels 1-7) $281 $346 $626
Eden Top $155 $196 $351
College of Law Student Rates
College of Medicine Student Rates
35
Facility Fall Semester Spring Semester Academic Year
CCM Garage $374 $412 $786
Calhoun Garage $325 $358 $683
Stratford Garage $281 $309 $590
Corry Garage $187 $206 $393
Facility Fall Semester Spring Semester Academic Year
Eden Avenue Garage (Levels 1-7) $281 $346 $626
Eden Top $155 $196 $351
College of Law Student Rates
College of Medicine Student Rates
Figure 19: Discounted parking price table 2
6.4.2. Store discount
Carpooling not only provides discounted price for reserved parking spots for UC stu-
dents, faculty and staff, but also provides discounts from some campus businesses to
attract more participants.
Carpoolers are eligible for discounts by participating merchants at the University of Cin-
cinnati. After people apply to be carpoolers, they will receive a carpooling card and use
it to get the discounts. Only upon submitting carpooling applications, and receiving the
carpooling cards can people enjoy the benefits. To receive the discount, as a student
simply show your carpooling card. Faculty or staff must present your carpooling tag also
with the University ID card to receive the discount. There are no limits on the number
of discounts as a carpooler can receive. The carpooling card or tag must be reapplied
for each semester, as a valid period for discounts only lasts one semester. To enjoy the
Facility
Faculty / Staff Student
CCM Garage, Varsity Village Garage, and McMicken Decal $83/month $374/semester
Clifton Court Garage, Goodman Garage, Calhoun Garage, Zone "A" Designated
spaces, Kingsgate Garage, and Victory Pkwy campus designated area holders
$72/month $325/semester
Woodside Drive Garage, Campus Green Garage, Eden Avenue Garage (levels 1-
7), Stratford Garage
$62/month $281/semester
University Garage, and Corry Garage $41/month $187/semester
Stratford Lot $40/month $180/semester
Eden Top N/A $155/semester
GRI Lot, Lot 13, Lot 16 & Lot 22 $34/month N/A
Reading Road Lot and Winslow Lot $18/month N/A
Rates
Carpooling Monthly or Semester Fares
C
A
R
P
O
O
L

T
R
A
N
S
P
O
R
T
A
T
I
O
N

S
Y
S
T
E
M
F
o
r

U
C

U
p
t
o
w
n

C
a
m
p
u
s
36
discounts, reapply each semester.
The businesses listed below offer some discounts in appreciation of your participation
in the UC Carpooling program.
DAAP Art Store
Bearcat Tickets
Bookstore
Starbucks
Food in the University
6.4.3. DAAP art store
As carpoolers, show your carpooling card or tag with ID at the DAAP Art Store, and get
up to 10% off when buying drawing pencils, marking pens, papers and other art sup-
plies. Snacks are not included in the bonus.
6.4.4. Bearcat tickets
For carpoolers, buying Bearcat Tickets, get up to 10% off with their carpooling card or
tags and ID.
6.4.5. Bookstore
Already at the University of Cincinnati, there is a 5% discount for teaching assistants or
research assistants buying Clinique products at bookstore with their University ID. Car-
poolers can also buy Clinique products with 5% off with their carpooling cards or tags,
and other designated commodities at special prices.
6.4.6 Starbucks
At UCs Starbucks store, with a carpooling card or tag, you only pay $1 can get a crois-
sants. Carpoolers can also buy designated coffee products in 5% off and can get free
refills during the daytime.
6.4.7 Food in the University
At Subway, carpoolers can get any regular foot long sub for $6 or less, and any 21oz
P
R
E
F
E
R
R
E
D

P
L
A
N
37
drink for only $1. For caf shops at the University of Cincinnati, you could get free refills
with your carpooling card or tags during the day. As for Chick-fil-A, Burger King, Taco
Bell, Papa Jones and Sushi in Tangeman University Center, simply show your carpooling
card or tags, get a 10% discount on any lunch meal. (Beverages in Sushi not included)
C
A
R
P
O
O
L

T
R
A
N
S
P
O
R
T
A
T
I
O
N

S
Y
S
T
E
M
F
o
r

U
C

U
p
t
o
w
n

C
a
m
p
u
s
38
Further Study
Currently, the UC carpooling project has only focusing on the home-school daily trips for
the Uptown Campus. For the future research, an expansion could be considered. First, the
user group could be expanded to the students and employees who are studying and work-
ing on other UC Campuses, they are: UC Victory Parkway Campus, Reading Campus, UC Blue
Ash College, and UC Clermont College. As a result, the number of users would increase sig-
nificantly. Second, with more users, the future project will have more demands generated
by the users. The future project could offer more fixed routes to accommodate according
to different demands. Third, more routes could be established unrelated to UC campuses.
These routes could be customized by the carpoolers, such as a campus-airport line, a cam-
pus-Kenwood Town Center line or for that matter, any other shopping centers. Since most
international students do not have cars, shopping oriented rides share would be popular and
helpful. Finally, the routes could also be expanded for tri-state trips. This idea which could
apply to future research was taken from Carpooling.com, a large carpooling network popular
in most European cities. The European carpoolers actually share rides to different cities or
countries in order to save on pollution, cost and time.
In addition, a complete marketing plan for this project should be organized. The goals of this
marketing plan are to build an easily recognized image for target group, raise their interests
for finding out more about the proposed project details, such as the car stop exterior design,
website workflow, and benefit plan, payment options, etc. Since the UC carpooling service is
a non-profit program, it will not charge any service fees or tips from drivers or passengers.
All the promotional media selected will be at a low-cost or free.
As described above, target group expansion and nonacademic route expansion will be the
two main parts for further research. Therefore, they should be the main focus of the market-
ing plan.
7.1 Promotional media selection
UCs official websites will be the first selected media to be used to promote the project.
The information it will offer covers all the UC students and employers, which are the
39
projects target groups. The second selection will be Facebook. As it is known, Facebook
has a wide influence for all levels of users. Building an official page will benefit the infor-
mation spread among all the Facebook users. Additionally, Twitter is another popular
social media which can be used for promotion. Different from Facebook, Twitter has
another function which allows giving comments. This function will be under the topic
#UC Carpooling. By highlighting this topic in each message, all the comments from car-
poolers will be spread efficiently. Though some complaints or even rumors could also be
spread along, it is after all a promotion as well as the Internet.
7.2 Decoration of Carpooling Vehicles
Inspired by the car share company Lyft, the carpooling vehicles appearance should be
taken into consideration. As seen on the streets, the cars which are from Lyft all have
pink mustaches on their front bumpers (Figure 20). Another example we can cite that
uses a decoration for advertising are cars for delivery from some pizzeria establish-
ments, such as Larosas, Marcos, and Papa Johns. The cars all have distinguished logos
on their tops, which makes it easy for people to recognize them on the street. In the
future, the UC carpooling service is considering giving every carpooling car a movable
magnet sign with our logo (Figure 21). The logo magnet will not only be a mobilized
way to promote the project, but will also be an easier way for carpoolers to recognize
the cars they are going to take. Such identification would ensure that the passengers
got into our car and not into a strangers car, which could pose a safety concern for our
passengers.
Figure 20: Lyfts car has pink mustache on the front
bumper.
(Source: http://siliconslopes.com/wp-content/up-
loads/2014/04/Lyft-Car.jpg)
Figure 21: UC carpooling logo
40
Conclusion
The UC Carpooling Project provides a new transportation form for students, faculty and staff
at the University of Cincinnati to commute on their daily home-school trips. Carpooling has
been successfully at so many universities in the United States, especially at Clemson Uni-
versity, Princeton University, and the University of Washington. Carpooling is very popular
because of its contribution to environmental protection, and for providing a platform for
communication and information exchange.
With the development of the economy, the progress of society, and the expansion of cities,
vehicles become an essential component of our daily lives. Wherever you go for shopping,
studying, working or entertainment, vehicles are almost needed. At the same time, the dan-
gers of carbon dioxide emissions, ozone depletion and global warming have been exposed.
With 1 billion cars in the world, carpooling encourages people to save gas and money, reduce
auto emissions and provide a meeting ground for new friends by sharing a ride. It gives peo-
ple access to affordable, cheap, and green transportation. Pollution, traffic, parking and road
maintenance are reduced while convenience, environmental protection, and new friend-
ships are increased.
UC Carpooling not only provides a group format, but also one for individuals. Group carpool-
ing is more fixed and stabled, and is especially good for the students in the same class with
a similar schedule. That makes it easy to share their vehicles most of time during the week-
days. On the other hand, random individual carpooling is more flexible. Carpoolers are not
limited by a fixed schedule, and can also meet different people who live near to them.
However, there are still some concerns that need to be highlighted for improvement through
future research. First, since this service is only open for the university students, faculty and
staff, the number of the users limit the number of offerings and required rides. Therefore,
insufficient offerings and required rides would make matching more difficult for students,
staff, and faculties to meet their schedule. Secondly, the survey for the real needs of the target
groups is a project to be completed in the next phase. Since this project was limited in time,
C
O
N
C
L
U
S
I
O
N
41
the sample coverage for the online survey only totaled 70 students, and the questions were
only 2. More questions and a larger sample should be developed in future research.
We as leaders of a new generation must utilize new technology to compensate for the unin-
tentional harm of past technology. Carpooling is one way to do this, and our group has devel-
oped a plan we think will reduce many of the transportation and environmental problems
existing today.
C
A
R
P
O
O
L

T
R
A
N
S
P
O
R
T
A
T
I
O
N

S
Y
S
T
E
M
F
o
r

U
C

U
p
t
o
w
n

C
a
m
p
u
s
42
R
E
F
E
R
E
N
C
E
Reference
Bruglieri, M., Ciccarelli, D., Colornia, A., & Lua, A. (2011). Poliunipool: a carpooling system
for universities. Procedia Social and Behavioral Sciences, (20), 558-567. Retrieved from www.
sciencedirect.com
Carlton-Ford , S., & Durante, K. (2013). University of cincinnati transportation survey: Travel
distance for co2 emissions estimation. Manuscript submitted for publication, Department of
Sociology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati,OH, .
Carpooling. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://carpooling.polimi.it/cpool/home.do
College student walking on a university campus. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://footage.shutterstock.com/clip-1490857-stock-footage-college-student-walking-on-
a-university-campus.html#snippet=disabled
FHWA/U.S. DOT Volpe Center. Moving Together: Ridesharing in the 21st Century. (n.d.). Re-
trieved from http://www.planning.dot.gov/documents/ridesharing_report.pdf
John A. Volpe U.S. Department of Transportation, Research and Innovative Technology Ad-
ministration, National Transportation Systems Center. (2013). Moving together in the 21st
century: How ridesharing supports livable communities
Palazzo, D., & Steiner , F. (2011). Urban ecological design: A process for regenerative places.
(1st ed.). Washington, D.C.: Island Press
Princeton University Transportation Demand Management. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://
www.princeton.edu/parking/rideshare.html
Rideshare Ohio. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.rideshareohio.com/rp/service.
asp?Authenticated=False
43
C
A
R
P
O
O
L

T
R
A
N
S
P
O
R
T
A
T
I
O
N

S
Y
S
T
E
M
F
o
r

U
C

U
p
t
o
w
n

C
a
m
p
u
s
Steve Carlton-Ford, Carol Clinton, (May 20, 2013). Report to uc presidents advisory council on
environment and sustainability (paces)
University of Clemson Carpool Program. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.clemson.edu/
campus-life/campus-services/parking/carpoolprogram.html
University of Washington Commuter Services. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.washing-
ton.edu/facilities/transportation/commuterservices/u-pass
WITTENBERG UNIVERSITY 1967. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://oxfordclothbuttondown.com/2013/03/wittenberg-university-1967-2/
44
Carpool Transportation System
for UC Uptown Campus
Instructors: Francis Russell | Rainer Vomhofe
University of Cincinnati-Spring Semester, 2014|Masters Project |Final Report|
Congcong Xu, Rui Ma, Qian Chen, Yihan Liu


Carpool Transportation System
for UC Uptown Campus
Instructors: Francis Russell | Rainer Vomhofe
University of Cincinnati-Spring Semester, 2014|Masters Project |Final Report|
Congcong Xu, Rui Ma, Qian Chen, Yihan Liu