Researchers are steering us towards a future of ride-splitting, insisting if you share your Uber, the world gets a little less congested, a little greener, and cheapier. A new study, helmed by University of Massachusetts Amherst's own Shannon Roberts, highlights the key ingredients to coax commuters into ditching their solo rides for a shared one. The findings revealed in the Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, serve not just food for thought but a roadmap to revamp ride-share services.
Partnering with computer scientists at UMass Amherst, specialists from Abigail Wexner Research Institute, and a helping hand of funding from General Motors, the study pooled insights from over 400 people. According to a statement obtained by UMass News, Shannon Roberts said, “With increased ride-splitting, we could have fewer emissions, better traffic, and cost savings,” This eco-friendly vision can't materialize unless a significant demographic swaps the steering wheel of their cars for a shared ride seat.
A survey, part of their investigation, indicated that price and speed are at the top of the ride-sharing menu. Commuters are hunting for bargain rides without the extra loop around the block without the wallet taking a beating. "In particular, people wanted fast trips,” Roberts revealed in an interview covered by UMass News. This shakes up the ride-share scene, focusing on quick, cost-effective transport over the crisscrossing paths lesser services offer.
Interestingly, findings torpedo previous thoughts that suggested race, age, and gender of fellow passengers were deal-breakers. What's more, the survey respondents, known users of Uber and Lyft thanks to some savvy Facebook recruiting, likely led to this shift in priorities. Ride comfort, as it turns out, might be riding on the back of a passenger's rating more than their profile picture, quashing the idea that riders prefer a shared gaze with a copy-pasted version of themselves.
“It is critical for us to understand what will increase trust and make users more comfortable using these systems,” Roberts emphasized, as reported by UMass News.
