The National Renewable Energy Laboratory's Open Platform for Agile Trip Heuristics (NREL OpenPATH, available at https://nrel.gov/openpath) revolutionizes how individuals and communities track their travel modes, such as cars, buses, bikes, and walking, while simultaneously measuring their energy consumption and carbon emissions. This innovative app empowers users to gain insights into their travel choices and patterns, experiment with more sustainable options, and evaluate the impact of these changes. The data collected can significantly influence transportation policies and urban planning, leading to the development of more sustainable and accessible cities.
NREL OpenPATH not only provides individual users with detailed feedback on the environmental impact of their travel choices but also aggregates this data to offer a community-level view of mode shares, trip frequencies, and carbon footprints through a publicly accessible dashboard. This dual functionality makes it a powerful tool for both personal and communal sustainability efforts.
The platform ensures continuous data collection and analysis through a smartphone app supported by a server and automated data processing system. Its open-source framework promotes transparency in data handling and allows for customization to meet the needs of specific programs or studies.
Upon first installation, the app does not automatically collect or transmit any data. Users must actively join a study or program by clicking a link or scanning a QR code, and consent to data collection and storage before the app becomes operational. For individuals interested in understanding their personal carbon footprint without participating in a specific program, NREL offers an open-access study where your data can contribute to broader research efforts as a control group.
At its core, NREL OpenPATH functions as an automatically sensed travel diary, utilizing background sensed location and accelerometer data to track your movements. Users have the option to add semantic labels to their travel diary as requested by program administrators or researchers, enhancing the data's utility.
It's important to note that continuous use of GPS in the background can significantly reduce battery life. To mitigate this, the app intelligently deactivates GPS when the user is stationary, resulting in only about a 5% battery drain for up to 3 hours of daily travel.
What's New in the Latest Version 1.9.1
Last updated on Oct 15, 2024
- Users can now opt out of push notifications, catering to programs that do not require them.
