One morning I needed to get to National Airport for an early morning flight. Uncharacteristically, I had some extra time to get there and was looking forward to an unstressed stroll with a chance to grab coffee and newspaper before take off. (I know I am old fashioned reading paper newspapers.) The ride took 3x as long as it would have in solo ride. What happened? Read on and then take a listen to learn how Alex Wallar and colleagues solved what he calls the “Uber Pool ” problem.
The rest of my story: I booked my ride as surge pricing started. I thought I will save a bit and make my ride more sustainable. I will take a pooled or shared ride.
I hopped in my ride as the third rider and nearly 45 minutes later I was dropped off at the airport. It took more three times as long as it would have if I had ridden alone. Sigh. Next, I mumbled, I willl get Tim, my long suffering and saintly husband to to take me — 12 minute door to door.
It does not have to be that way as Alex Wallar explained to me last fall. You can hear it from him directly as he discusses route optimization with with Reed Sturdevant of The Engine on MIT Inside Track.
Take a listen as Alec explains how the algorithm can cover all of Manhattan’s taxi rides with 80 percent of the vehicles.
Imagine what this could mean for transit route optimization?
Take listen. Scratch the techie itch. Pass it along.
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