Get on Track

Team Name

Metro Bandits

Team Members

Project Description

Project Description
Get on Track (GOT) is our solution to help reduce traffic congestion at peak hours and encourage people use more public transport and improve wellbeing of people.

The government's investment in developing train stations to enhance public transportation access has revealed a complex challenge in urban mobility planning. This problem statement encapsulates several interconnected issues:

Parking Shortage at Transit Hubs

Despite significant investment in train station development, there is an acute shortage of parking facilities to accommodate the growing number of commuters during peak hours. This mismatch between transit infrastructure and supporting amenities creates a bottleneck in the public transportation system.

Ripple Effects on Commuter Behavior

The parking scarcity has triggered a series of unintended consequences:
Early Arrivals: Commuters are forced to arrive at stations much earlier than necessary to secure parking spots, disrupting their daily routines and potentially impacting work-life balance.
Increased Traffic Congestion: The rush to find parking has led to increased traffic congestion around train stations, particularly during morning peak hours. This congestion undermines the efficiency gains expected from public transit investments.
Potential Deterrent to Public Transit Use: The difficulty in finding parking may discourage some commuters from using public transportation, potentially pushing them back to private vehicle usage - the very behavior the transit system aims to reduce.

Resource Allocation Challenges

This situation highlights the complexities of resource allocation in public transportation planning:
Infrastructure Imbalance: While significant resources have been allocated to train station development, there appears to be an underinvestment in complementary infrastructure like parking facilities.
Last-Mile Connectivity: The parking issue underscores the broader challenge of last-mile connectivity in public transportation systems, where getting to and from transit hubs can be as crucial as the main transit journey itself

This multifaceted problem statement underscores the need for a comprehensive and integrated approach to urban transportation planning. It challenges policymakers to balance the promotion of public transit with the realities of commuter behavior and existing urban infrastructure. Addressing this issue requires not just infrastructure solutions, but also innovative policies that can effectively manage demand, change commuter habits, and create a more sustainable and efficient urban transportation ecosystem.

Data Story

Smart Mobility: Optimizing Urban Infrastructure for a Sustainable Future

Based on the available data and observed patterns in Melbourne's public transport system, several key trends emerge:
1) Train Usage and Station Activity
Melbourne's train network serves as the backbone of the city's public transportation system. The busiest suburban stations see over 1 million boardings annually, with peak activity occurring during weekday rush hours. This high usage indicates that trains are a preferred mode of transport for many Melbourne residents, especially for commuting.
2) Commuter Behavior
a) Station Preference
Many commuters opt to drive to stations with express train services rather than using local bus connections. This behavior suggests a preference for faster, more direct routes to their destinations, even if it means combining car and train travel.
b) Arrival Times
To secure parking at popular train stations, commuters often arrive up to an hour early. This pattern highlights both the high demand for park-and-ride facilities and the lengths to which passengers will go to ensure a smooth commute.
c) Traffic Patterns
The areas surrounding the busiest train stations frequently experience traffic congestion. This congestion is likely a result of the high number of commuters driving to these stations, particularly during peak hours.
d) Future Metro stations
The upcoming Metro Tunnel project is expected to directly benefit about half of Melbourne's nineteen busiest suburban stations. In Sydney, when new metro stations were opened, there was parking chaos, which means there can never be adequate number of convinient parking spots at peak hours.

The Solution - Get on Track - A mobile app that will reduce traffic congestion at peak hours and encourage people use more public transport and improve wellbeing of people. Pay less on parking space, Pay less on fuel, have more time to things you love

The Audience
The app is tailored for commuters seeking a streamlined journey to work, combining personal vehicle use with express train travel. It's specifically designed for those who drive from home to the train station before boarding an express train to their workplace. By using this app, commuters can save both money on parking fees at the train station and valuable time typically spent leaving early to secure parking spaces. This efficient approach not only reduces stress but also ensures a faster and more cost-effective daily commute.

Engagement
The app offers commuters the flexibility to either serve as drivers, picking up passengers on their way to the train station, or to be riders themselves, getting picked up by fellow commuters. This innovative approach enhances the travel experience by promoting carpooling and making the journey to the station more convenient for everyone involved and allow users to spend more time to do something they love rather than finding a parking spot.

Benefits / Recommendation
App users earn a certain number of credits after completing a shared journey. We propose that policymakers allow these credits to be redeemed for discounts on weekly transportation costs. This incentive structure would not only encourage more users to participate in the carpooling system but also provide tangible financial benefits, making commuting more affordable and sustainable for all app users.

Future work
Currently, the app exists as a prototype without real users or a supporting backend system. To fully realize its potential, we need to develop a dedicated backend infrastructure that will enable users to find drivers or connect with others waiting to be picked up. While the current version allows users to select a single source and destination, we plan to enhance this functionality by introducing multiple options for pickup and drop-off points. Additionally, we recognize the need to implement a robust notification service, such as Firebase, to improve user communication and experience. This service will serve two primary functions:
1. Allow drivers to receive and respond to ride requests, giving them the option to accept or decline.
2. Enable passengers to view and track the drivers who have accepted their ride requests.
These improvements will significantly enhance the app's usability and effectiveness, creating a more dynamic and responsive platform.