Personal Travel Assistant (PTA)

Key Facts

• The aim of the Personal Travel Assistant (PTA) is to improve the transit experience of commuters by giving them access to transportation information via a web enabled mobile device from any location.

• Transport information can include data about the most affordable trip plan and the one with the lowest carbon footprint, ultimately reducing the cost of the journey, minimizing the time of the journey and reducing associated carbon emissions.

  The PTA consists of a number of solution elements including:

  • A personal travel planner which among other functions allows the user to select the optimal modes of transport for their journey, schedule travel activities and reduce their carbon emissions.
  • Carbon Calculator which informs users of their carbon footprint over time (daily, weekly, monthly and yearly)
  • Real Time Router which allows the user to optimize their trip as and when conditions change (eg: traffic accidents).
  • Transportation Information Service providing information about public transport options, routes, arrival times and schedules.

  Core infrastructure includes a web based service application developed by Cisco’s Internet Business Solutions Group (IBSG), the city of Amsterdam and city of Seoul, and their technology partners..

  The PTA incorporates “virtual assistant” features that provide transit guidance based on user preferences and trip context (for instance, whether time is more critical than expense for a particular trip), employing real-time traffic and public transportation information.. The user requires only an IP enabled device to access the service.

• The project took 24 months to implement
• The actual (or projected) savings from the project are
  • Reduction in future capacity requirements on the road system (reduction of 12.7% in traffic volumes)
  • 12.8% improvement in the speed of vehicles
• The primary sponsor for the project was sponsored by Cisco’s Chairman and CEO John Chambers as a commitment to the Clinton Global Initiative, and as a core contribution to Cisco’s corporate social responsibility activities.

What was the impact?

• Did you use a specific methodology or third party to calculate CO2e or KWh savings?

  The economic and environmental value case models use independently verified methodologies. In addition, the cities have commissioned independent analysis of a number of the projects.

• Comments on energy savings

  A projected CO2 Emissions decrease of 6.3% is expected for vehicles involved in the scheme

• Notes about Carbon savings/calculations

  Further information on the pilot value case findings, methodologies and approach are available in the CUD toolkit (pdf) and Seoul Development Institute whitepaper (pdf).
  

  
  

  
  

• Comments on fuel savings

  The pilot has shown that the potential exists to create a 12.7% reduction in vehicle kilometers traveled this would result in a significant improvement in the overall fuel efficiency of the transportation network. This would represent an ongoing saving if implemented on a more permanent basis.

• Comments on Carbon or Energy savings

  The scheme has shown the potential for a reduction in PM10 by 5%.

• Comments on other resources saved

  The PTA also provides the means to expose Carbon related information to the end user. Therefore empowering them to better manage and act on their own footprint.
• The project has independent verification for results

Making it Happen

• Barriers experienced during the initiation of the project

• Comments regarding barriers

  Good programme governance and the provision of assistance (in-terms of project support) to participating organizations were important factors in ensuring success within all of the CUD projects