I-Corps: Translation Potential of an Intelligent Mobility Platform for Travel Planning

Award ID: 2629054

This I-Corps project is based on the development of a software application that helps individuals plan travel options that optimize impacts. Transportation organizations increasingly need effective ways to reduce, improve mobility, strengthen public transit, and engage travelers, yet they lack practical tools to measure, verify, and reward travel behaviors. This technology addresses this challenge by combining real-time mobility information with verified incentive mechanisms that encourage travelers to choose transportation options with lower impacts and greater mobility benefits. The platform creates value for public transit agencies, municipalities, universities, employers, and other transportation organizations by supporting ridership growth, mobility management, and performance-based initiatives while generating measurable impacts and mobility outcomes. This may improve transportation system performance, incentivize the use of public transportation, supporting transit agencies in growing ridership, and help to meet mobility goals. This I-Corps project utilizes experiential learning coupled with first-hand investigation of the industry ecosystem to assess the translation potential of a software application that integrates real-time transportation data, machine learningbased travel recommendations, trip-level impact assessment, and blockchain-enabled verification. The goal is to quantify and reward certain transportation choices through mobility opportunity credits. Prior research has established transportation analytics, mobility management, impact assessment, and verified credit methodologies. By leveraging blockchain technology, the app secures transactions, enhances accountability, and enables a seamless incentive system for users. This technology may support mobility goals, and provide data-driven insights to encourage the adoption of efficient transportation systems. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

NSF Program Director: Ruth Shuman