2020 Teens Dream - Transportation and Air Pollution

One of the more positive effects from the COVID-19 shelter-in-place order has been a reduction in the number of cars on our streets. This has led to a significant reduction in harmful emissions that cause air pollution and hasten climate change (SDG: Climate Action). We can learn from this and find ways to continue reducing our reliance on cars. The most obvious solution is to reduce car reliance by increasing use of public transportation; however, many people avoid public transportation because they see it as inconvenient and confusing. I want to change that and in this way encourage more use of our public buses and trains. I propose to design an interactive app that would make using public transportation much easier and more convenient (SDG: Sustainable Cities and Communities). Unlike other bus apps that already exist, this one would have an interactive map where users could zoom into cities and neighborhoods and easily locate bus stops, view options, plan trips, and see real time schedules using GPS technology. The can view transfers and alternative routes as well as the total time they need to plan. Eventually, I would also like to add a function showing how choosing public transportation over a car for their trip helps reduce emissions and contribute to climate change mitigation – so they can know that they are making a good choice for our environment.