Metropia app launched in Tucson and SXSW
Looking for the easy way out? There’s a new app that will show you the most efficient way out of your current location to your next destination. Local entrepreneur, Yi-Chang Chiu, Ph.D, launched his new app, Metropia.
Metropia is a phone app that helps users curve traffic stress, promotes public transportation, and reduce pollution. The app helps users determine when is the best time to leave and gives a traffic forecast to reach their next destination in a timely manner. Users have the ability to give directions and departure time reminders to friends and family that have downloaded the app.
There was a launch party at the Rail Yard on Wednesday, March 18. The app debuted simultaneously in Tucson and at Austin, TX., music and tech festival, SXSW.
“We are working very closely with Sun Tran,” Chiu said. “Ultimately, we are giving drivers an incentive to leave earlier and plan their commute. It reduces the amount of cars on the streets when the user plans their schedule ahead of time and uses a ride share. We are trying to solve a worldwide problem.”
The startup organization and idea for the app originated during a Start Up Tucson weekend challenge in 2011. “This project was supported entirely by the University of Arizona.,” said the UA Ph.D., associate professor of Civil Engineering. Metropia has been entirely funded by the UA. “They loved this idea and put $30,000 to hire grad students and create a prototype,” Chiu said.
The app will collect user’s travel time and speeds for PAG’s Travel Demand Model, which is used for planning future highway developments, calculating pollution levels and safeguarding compliance with air quality guidelines.
Users are rewarded with points to use towards local business like organic energy RBar and Fed By Threads. There are other incentives from Target, Starbucks, and a Metropia song by Ian Gonzalez.
Click here to get more information and download the app.