Éamonn Kelly (C00260953) 4th Year ITM Project
Below is a button which, on click, will open the prototype website used to convey how the service will operate if released to the public. This website also includes the associated PowerPoint Presentation, along with some additional information regarding the creation of this project.
What is JourneyAssist?
A ride-sharing/carpool service aimed at streamlining the process of organizing lifts. Details concerning this project’s business, technical, and ethical components can be found below. Each of these sections are greatly expanded upon in this projects accompanying document.
Business Components
User-Friendly
The User-Interface (UI) must be simplistic, straightforward, and unambiguous in its design. This ensures the service is accessible to all and reduce confusion for the average consumer.
Functionality
Users registered as Drivers should be able to upload their Journeys, and users registered as Passengers should be able to search for these Journeys. Payment for these lifts (Journeys) may also be done without leaving the service.
Cost Effectiveness
The service has been developed without the excessive use of paid/subscription-based software. This allows for the service to be as profitable as possible through the reduction of costs.
Technical Components
Database
A PHP database was set up to store all relevant data. This ensures that all data displayed throughout the website is consistent and accurate.
Location-Based Data
A finalized version of this service would include interactive maps for users to choose specific points and destinations. The service would also have the ability to request and make use of user location data to better suit their needs.
User Profiles
There are two types of user profiles within this service: Drivers and Passengers. As such, each have their own respective logins and permissions. Driver profiles also store data not found in Passenger profiles to aid in validation and identification. In future versions of this service, user profiles may be customisable, allowing other users to learn more about who they will be sharing a vehicle with.
Ethical Components
Decreased Travel-Related Stress
Instead of following and staying up to date with public transport timetables, or personally seeking out carpool options, JourneyAssist does all of this for the user automatically. This means that the overall stress associated with a Passenger reaching their desired destination is significantly reduced as a result of this platform.
Fuel Payment Assistance
Drivers may use a service such as this to assist them in paying for fuel by availing of the benefits of using this service. A benefit of this manner is extremely helpful and timely as current fuel prices (as well as a number of additional factors associated with car ownership) continue to rise, with increasing amounts of people finding it difficult to meet these new demands. As a result, regular people are incentivized to use this service and in turn, assist others in their journeys, fostering a mutually beneficial relationship between users, both Passengers and Drivers alike.
Sense of Community
Due to the nature of ride sharing, and the possible future ability to communicate with other users through the platform itself, it can be said that there is a community-building aspect to this service. If two users share a ride together, the likelihood of them developing a connection and remaining in contact with one another increases. This is especially useful for older individuals who may not use social media for contact as much as their younger counterparts, or those in slightly more rural areas who do not have as much access to populated areas/or the chance to meet new people.
Additional Research
In addition to the aforementioned analysis of each component of this project, supplementary data was also investigated.
Survey
- Done in the early stages of the project, this survey provided valuable data which influenced the project heavily.
- Distributed to a sizeable number of respondents, data such as demographics, frequency of travel, common modes of transport, demand levels, etc. were identified.
- The bar chart shown depicts the data gathered from Question 6 on the survey: “Would you use an app which offers this service?”
Yearly Budgets
- To ensure profitability, a 5-Year budget analysis was carried out.
- This incorporated and accounted for various grants, subscriptions, costs, incomes, wages, etc. and provided valuable insight into the monetary side of this project.
- The image shown is a summary of these 5 years. Using this it is possible to identify that the service will begin to return significant profits at the end of this 5 year period and these will continue to grow steadily.