The Commuting Network
This past July, Google-affiliate Waze, a popular crowd-based navigation system acquired by Google for $1 billion in 2013, announced a new function of the app used for carpooling. The new function will be run through a new app, RideWith, which will be integrated with Waze for a seamless transition between the apps. The carpooling app match potential riders and drivers through several variables: where the riders’ and drivers’ homes are, where each is going to work, and at what time each person needs to be at work. The app is also programmed so it cannot be turned into a service like Uber with the rider providing a small payment, based on wear and tear instead of labor costs, and is only doable twice a day – on the way to and from work.
Conceptually, each street can be thought of as a node with the drivers’ routes as the connecting edges to form one huge network of commuting. Based on the network of routes, the service then identifies compatible pairings of drivers and passengers and then connects the two with a messaging option to work out details. The strength of connection is also taken into account in this medium. The strength of connection can be based off of the proximity of the first nodes of the passengers to the drivers’ route and the last nodes of each the passenger (location of home and work) or based off how many nodes (streets) are shared between each party. The end result of this complex commuter network is a wealth of information about commuting habits that Waze is able to harness and provide its RideWith users with potential carpool partners.
Sources:
http://arstechnica.com/cars/2015/07/google-owned-waze-launches-ridewith-carpooling-app-on-android/
http://www.businessinsider.com/google-waze-ride-sharing-app-ridewith-israel-2015-7?r=UK&IR=T