RoadMate: A Substantial Development in Ride-Sharing and Carpooling

Abstract

E-hailing is acknowledged as ridesharing, ride-sourcing, automobile rental, paratransit, or on-demand transportation. A passenger may use a smartphone application to find a ride to their desired location. Due to the increasing acceptance and adoption of the services' demand, the number of e-hailing operators has expanded. Unfortunately, users' key motivations for using e-hailing services, which are dependability and cost, are frequently disregarded. Therefore, this research aims to develop a smartphone app that is focused on ridesharing and carpooling without the restrictions of the current ridesharing apps. Customers may potentially realize savings by dividing the expenses associated with gas, parking, or tolls. The app may allow users to add new passengers as they proceed to their destination, and more drivers might join carpooling if there are less stringent laws, saving money for both the drivers and the passengers. This study adopted the Agile methodology, which consists of five phases: 1) planning, 2) designing, 3) developing, 4) testing, and 5) maintaining and documenting. This app, which could make it easier to share rides and find carpools, is also developed in response to user requirements. The results of a user acceptance test conducted with potential users and e-hailing drivers indicate that the proposed concept and prototype are highly relevant to both parties (PEU=4.22, PU=4.3, ATT=4.38, BI=4.31). It is anticipated that future research will incorporate fresh elements and ground-breaking ideas into such prototypes based on the information acquired from this project and obligate an improvement. It is also recommended that this project be enhanced for a wider range of users and with enhanced technological components.