Traffic congestion is not just bad for the environment, it is surprisingly expensive. Wasted fuel, lost worker productivity, and higher cost of transportation in congested areas cost the U.S. $305 billion in 2017.
Almost a third of all greenhouse emissions in the U.S. come from the transportation sector. The transportation sector is also responsible for 55% of nitrogen oxides in the air, the leading contributor to smog, acid rain, and adverse respiratory effects. But the damage is not just to the environment. Drivers stuck in traffic experience higher levels of stress and aggressiveness.
An average two-tonne car is 80% empty when driven by a single person. Considering that 85.3% of Americans commute with their own vehicle and the majority travel alone, traffic jams are a result of inefficient use of roads. Just one full bus, for comparison, can take 40 cars off the road, reduce traffic congestion, and emit less harmful pollutants.
Many cities introduced a single ticket to make commuting across an interconnected system of buses, trams, and trains more convenient. Adding further incentives for travelers can get car drivers to switch to a more sustainable form of transportation.
With our API integrated into a ticketing system, dedicated wallets programmed to account for points can be assigned to individual passengers. For every completed journey, a customer’s personal wallet will receive bonus points. Collected points can be redeemed on free tickets or shared with any other commuter with a connected wallet.
During rush-hour, points can add incentive to choose an alternative, less congested transport to take the strain off the network. Journeys on sustainable transport can offer additional points to lower the carbon footprint. Customers can view their point balance history to decide how their commute can be adapted to be more green and beneficial to them.
Getting drivers to use public transport can drastically lower greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality in urban environments. Adaptable incentives can improve the passenger flow, prevent delays, and ease congestion. Efficient transportation systems not only affect all aspects of economic performance but reduce costs for all involved.
No matter how small, our choices have an impact on the world. A small lifestyle change here, a new idea there, and we are all better off. Let’s help drive our progress for a better future.