Car-sharing technology trial aims reduce city traffic

Motorists hoping to car-share could soon find their nearest lift on their mobile phones, scientists said today.

Academics are looking at ways of increasing the number of people who share their cars in an effort to cut congestion and pollution.

Car-sharers would upload their details on to a database, which would be accessible over the internet via mobile phones.

GPS technology would mean their cars and journeys could be tracked on a map over the internet.

A fellow passenger subscribing to the service would then find their nearest car-sharer before phoning the driver and arranging to be picked up.

Social-networking sites such as Facebook could also be used to co-ordinate trips between car-sharers.

If the technology is successful it would even be possible to specify personal preferences, such as whether to hitch a lift with a driver who listens to the radio or likes to travel in silence.

The technology is being pioneered by scientists at the University of Nottingham in England.

It is one of three universities to be awarded £12m (€13.33m) over the next five years to improve the use of digital technology in the UK, the British science minister Paul Drayson will announce today.

Dr Sarah Sharples, one of the researchers behind the project in Nottingham, said: "This could revolutionise the way people go about their everyday lives.

"We already have the technology with sat-navs and access to the internet through mobile phones.

"But it could be used in different and new ways, such as radically cutting down the number of single-car journeys, whether they be by commuters or shoppers visiting their local high street.

"What we want to do is to explore the potential of mobile technology and in this instance to make it simpler for people to request a lift."

She added: "People have real safety concerns about car-sharing but more and more of us are aware of the impact our reliance on cars is having on the environment.

"One of the most important things is to recognise if there are concerns about safety or privacy for users, and how people can be accurately informed about the way their information is being used."

Nottingham is also the first city in the country to apply to the British government for the introduction of a Workplace Parking Levy.

If brought in, the levy would see large firms hit by an annual charge of £350 (€388.90) by 2014 for every parking space they provide employees.

As part of the project, academics in Nottingham are also investigating the use of GPS technology to provide car passengers with commentaries as they pass places or landmarks.

Such technology could also be used by families visiting a theme park to decide which rides to queue up for based on data from their previous experiences at the venue.

This would enable users to find out such facts as which roller-coasters would scare them the most.

Elsewhere, Newcastle University and the University of Aberdeen have also each been awarded £12m (€13.33m) by Research Council UK's digital economy programme.

In Newcastle, scientists will be looking at using digital technology to improve the lives of the elderly and disabled.

Ideas include personal sat-nav systems which can be used by the elderly to help them find their way around shopping centres or large stores.

Another possibility being developed is a special brooch which, simply by touching it, allows the user to request a carer.

A signal is sent to a corresponding brooch worn by the carer that then vibrates, alerting them that their help is needed.

In Aberdeen, academics will be looking at improving the lives of those living in some of the country's remotest parts.

Early warning flood systems and NHS response times are two areas researchers will be investigating to see whether digital technology could have benefits.

According to Research Council UK, today's announcement represents the largest ever investment in the country's digital capabilities.

Drayson said: "New technologies can transform our quality of life.

"The unique thing about the new hubs in Aberdeen, Newcastle and Nottingham is the focus on designing digital technology that includes people from all walks of life. This will ensure that everyone is part of our digital future.

"The hubs will develop new technologies utilising wireless networks and GPS, which will deliver hi-tech digital solutions across many sectors.

"They will create jobs, improve public services such as health and transport, reduce waste and bring digital revolution into people's lives for the first time."