Day 6- WK 2


This morning we built a SNAP ROVER from the kit.  We want to test and determine what proximity our GPS data will need to be scaled to for out techfest idea, of having students travel around Denton to find the best rideshare routes using a combination of simulating the data using the rover and preloaded Google Earth routes. 

 We uploaded GPS files from 4 RET participants and converted them to .gpx files using GPSBabel.  We also spoke with Dr. Huang about our progress on the lessons and our research.  We are utilizing a shared dropbox folder to keep all our data and research within our research team.  Dr. Huang added some research files and suggested we begin looking at how and what programs we will need to analyze the data we have now began to collect. We are also going to begin looking at the social barriers students and society has with the concepts of ridesharing.  This afternoon we read article pertaining to several different ridesharing pilot programs and the barriers that they have faced with social issues and inconvenience for potential riders. 

 Some of these barriers will be less relevant as smartphones and our wireless infrastructures are improved.  I read about how cities must also look at how streets and streetscapes are constructed and designed to lessen the environmental impact in cities, such as drainage, trees, the number of cars in an area, and parking areas.