Pan City Mega Carpool Scheme

A negative-cost solution to traffic congestion

May 2009

Value locked in near-empty cars

Cars are typically carrying just 1 to 2 commuters. The inefficient use of limited road space is causing traffic congestion.

If the motorists share rides so that the cars typically carry 3 to 4 commuters, the number of cars plying may reduce to 50% or less. The resultant saving in fuel, travel time, and pollution would
be steep - 50 % or more.
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A win-win for all

Saving in fuel (benefits motorists, government and society). Higher traffic speed (benefits all road users, not just cars). Reduced vehicular pollution (benefits local citizens). Reduced Green House Gas emissions: 13.4 lakh tons
(benefits globally)

Reduced driving stress/road rage. Reduced investment in transport infrastructure Social/business networking opportunity. Carbon credits (Rs. 80 crores).
(Numbers calculated on yearly basis, for a 4 lakh-motorist mega-carpool)
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New York Public Transport Strike

New York experienced a public transport strike in December 2005. Carpool was a key component in Mayors contingency plan. Only HOV-4 cars (cars carrying at least 4 persons) were allowed to enter Manhattan during peak hours. Places (Carpool stands) were notified to facilitate easy ridesharing. Carpools can provide an alternative transport system in case of disruption of regular public transport due to a terrorist attack or labor unrest

Why isnt carpooling a runaway success, despite significant benefits?

Due to Inherent limitations, the present system of smallsize, 2-to-5-member carpools has had only limited success.

How does the present system work?

Car owners living in same/nearby localities, working in same/nearby offices, and having same work-timings make a carpool. The members ply their cars on different week-days by rotation and share ride with other members. Each member benefits as he/she plies his/her car for just 1 to 2 days in a week but avails car journey for all 5 days.

Traditional Car Pool Method

Origin
Location: XX Society Time: 8:00 AM

Destination
Location: YY Limited Time: 6:00 PM
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Present-system deficiencies
(i) Inflexibility Only those who have unwaveringly-fixed office timings and destinations can participate in present carpools. Unsuitable for many categories such as marketing/audit/ media/inspection personnel.

(ii) Safety Issue: Ridesharing with strangers contacted through internet classifieds is risky

Salient Features of Proposed Pan-City Mega Carpool Scheme

CMC
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The fundamental concept

All the interested car owners of Delhi/NCR are enrolled as members of pan-Delhi Mega Carpool, subject to verification of their credentials.
Pan-Delhi Mega Carpool

Name: XXX Reg. No: 00012XX

The members are issued a smart card based photo-ID, which also helps to record transaction of mileage points. A family member is issued an Add-on card.

A member earns mileage points by giving rides, which points can be redeemed by availing rides. Paradigm shift achieved here: From One-to-one to many-to-many barter
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How is safety and accurate accounting ensured

Cars of each member is fitted with a special hardware device comprising of smart Id-card reader, GPS, and GPRS (or other appropriate equipment for tracking and communication). When a member A (rider) takes ride in the car of a member B (driver), A taps his card to the smart Id-card reader equipment of Bs car.

The equipment reads the Id. No. of A and the time/location of start of shared ride, and communicates this information along with Id. No. of B to a Central agency through GPRS or other appropriate technology.
At the end of the shared ride, A again taps his card to the card-reader, which communicates the location/time of end of Contd journey to the central agencys computer. 12

How is safety and accurate accounting ensured

The Central computer thus has complete record of journey, for security of members and for computing mileage points. Based on kilometers traveled, the Central agencys computer credits B and debits A, say at the rate of 1 point per km. All members receive a monthly statement reflecting a summary of transactions and emissions saved.

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Pan-City Mega Carpool Method (Variant 1)

1
2

Registration through website/ agencies

3 Central Agency verification process

Pan-Delhi Mega Carpool

Name: XXX Reg. No: 00012XX

Issued smart card to A Car with contact-less card reader B

Central Computer - credits B and debits A

The time/location of end of journey

The time/location of start of journey

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Variant 2: SMS based logging of shared ride

When a member A takes rides in the car of a member B, A sends an SMS to the Central Server to convey the Id No of B and odometer reading (last four digits only) of Bs car. The Central Server logs the start of shared ride and sends an auto-generated SMS to both A and B as an acknowledgement thereof.

At the end of the shared ride, A again sends an SMS to the Central Server to convey the final odometer reading of Bs car.
The central server calculates kilometers traveled and sends auto-generated SMS to both rider and driver to confirm the mileage points transacted.

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How to find co-travelers

Members wishing to give/avail ride convey their travel plans to a Central Agency via internet/SMS/phone. At enrolment also, most-frequented locations/timings are taken. The computer program of the Central agency sets up members with one another.

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Finding co-travelers in truly dynamic scenario

Car pool stands: Car pool stands in various residential localities, business centers, office complexes and institutional areas may be used by the members for starting carpool journey. (may not be necessary at the inception
stage)

Display Screen: A sleek LED/LCD screen on front of the car can display a members willingness (to give ride) and destination to a member seeking ride. (not proposed at the
inception stage)
LED Screen Board

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Mega carpool economics - Expenses

One time expenses: Advertisement campaign Infrastructure of the Central agency Photo-id cards/ card reader machines Display screens/ carpool stands (later) Recurring expenses: Service charges of communication service provider Administrative expenses Marketing and advertising expenses

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Revenues and other sources of funds

Sponsored media campaigns Sponsorship toward cost of photo-id, card-reader m/c, etc. Initial Deposit/monthly fees from members

Carbon credits (Rs. 80 Crs p.a.)

Advertisement revenue from portal A percentage of mileage points earned by members can be appropriated by central agency and sold to members short of points.
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Helping the fence sitters

Motorists can be given additional reasons to carpool: Priority parking: An area in the parking lots can be reserved for high occupancy cars.

Brought to you by PCMC

Carpool lanes: High occupancy cars can be allowed in exclusive lanes, along with buses Sponsorships: Card reader machines can be subsidized by government /employers/other sponsors Guaranteed rides: Central agency/private partners can contract with radio cabs to provide free/subsidized rides when it fails to set up a match. 20

Quick Gestation
The scheme requires no major physical infrastructure; so it can take-off expeditiously, as estimated below: Activity (a) Create awareness Time Frame 8 weeks 12 weeks 12 weeks 32 Weeks

(b) Set-up organization, develop hardware & software

Enroll members and start service Total
(Activities (a) and (b) can be implemented simultaneously)

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Vehicle for Implementation

CMC
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Features desired in Implementation Vehicle

Scope for Innovation (Risk-return interplay)

Competition in service quality

Private user interface Government/NGO support and monitoring Safeguards for users

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Proposed structure
Government

NGO/CSR Partner

TPT. DEPTT. (SPV/MOU)

Pvt. Partner - II

Technology / Communication Partner

Pvt. Partner - I

Pvt. Partner - III

Pan City Mega Carpool Members

Private partner role

Responsibility Share SPV set-up costs Enroll members: Sell the scheme to motorists Return Enrollment fee Monthly subscription Share in carbon credits (Selling through RWAs, HR/CSR Deptts, direct proceeds selling through website, etc.) Share in mileage points Screen membership requests sale proceeds Advertisement revenue Provide service to members: from portal/SMS Set-up & operate dynamic matching service Revenue from value (phone + web-based) Attend member complaints added services
(Activities (a) and (b) can be implemented simultaneously)

Introduce innovations:
Guaranteed rides Discounts Value added services

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Technology partner role

Responsibility Develop/operate/install Hardware Card reader machine Smart card photo-ID Central server Return Initial payment for software and hardware development Upfront per user charges toward cost of card reader machine and smart card Monthly per user charges toward communication service

Develop/operate/install Software Location mapping (GIS) Routes Record of transactions Issue of monthly statements

(Activities (a) and (b) can be implemented simultaneously)

Attend complaints from members / private partners

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SPV role
Responsibility Select private partners
Enroll members:
Screen membership requests (referred by private partner; second level screening) Give final clearance for membership

Desired Outcome
Reduction in pollution and traffic congestion Share in carbon credits sale proceeds Share in mileage points sale proceeds

Receive sponsorships (possible sources: Delhi Government,

Central Government, Corporate sector, NGOs)
(Activities (a) and (b) can be implemented Supervise, facilitate and monitor: simultaneously)

Technology partner Private partners CDM process Financial and administrative audits Publicity

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How the scheme addresses the challenges

1) Safety/Security Issue: Traveling with strangers risky
?
? ? ?

Solution/Counterpoints:
- Members undergo a stringent verification process. - The Central Agency develops its own data base reflecting member behavior, as time passes by. - Members are free to share ride with only those whom they trust. - All women carpools can be set up if demanded. - There are greater risks in traveling alone: a flat tire, drowsiness, lonely roads, etc.
Contd. 28

How the scheme addresses the challenges

2) Privacy Issue: I cherish travel time as personal time to be used for making phone calls, listening music, etc. I dont want intrusion by carpool members. Solution/Counterpoints: - You can choose the members you travel with. - After some experimentation, homogenous groups will be formed of people who look forward to sharing a ride. - On occasions when you need personal space and time, you are free to travel alone.

Contd.

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How the scheme addresses the challenges

3) Initial Cost Issue: I do not want to invest the initial amount (a few thousand rupees) toward cost of card reader. Solution/Counterpoints: - Since there is a saving from availing carpool, the investment is paid back; you benefit from value added services also. - Government/employers/NGOs can subsidize card-reader machines (willingness of these agencies to do so is yet to be
ascertained).
Initial Cost

- Variant 2 (SMS based) not requiring the hardware device in

the car can be opted for; you are free to switch to Variant 1 later if you so desire.
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A quick summation
Governments/counties have been promoting carpools for long. However, a city-scale dynamic carpool has become technologically feasible only recently. With its wide roads, large car population, and ready access to affordable GPRS and smart technologies, Delhi has the need and potential to adopt dynamic ridesharing on a large scale. Pan-city Mega-Carpool scheme offers a win-win alternative to restrictions/taxes implemented by some cities to discourage plying of private cars. Decentralized operation, very-low leverage, and reliance on people power are key elements that distinguish the scheme from other transit schemes.
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Kindly email your valuable inputs to: Vishva Mohan

(vishvam@hotmail.com)