Angelmum
Moderator
Disabled can get a ride with volunteer drivers
Published on May 21, 2012
Paralympic swimmer Theresa Goh, 25, may be a speed demon in the water, but she still needs some help on land.
That's where a new mobile app, on a two-month test run from today, may come in handy.
Called Ecommuter, the app allows disabled commuters to send requests to private volunteer drivers or drivers from welfare and transport groups when they need a ride.
It was developed by Hapticus, a home-grown Web development start-up, which had partnered the Handicaps Welfare Association (HWA) for the project. During the pilot test, 15 drivers - either private volunteers or drivers from various organisations - and their assigned passengers will try out the app.
How the app works
ONCE the disabled commuters log onto the app, they can customise their settings to filter their transport options.
For example, a disabled commuter can register himself as using a high-backed wheelchair and a member of HWA. Immediately, he will be able to view available transport services that can accommodate his type of wheelchair and services that are open to him because of his membership.
This feature eliminates the need for the disabled to make separate checks with various transport providers when making a booking.
With the listed options, the disabled commuter can then either send a transport request to a particular provider, or wait for available transport providers to offer the rides. The request can be made in advance or in real time.
Once a match has been made, the app - which runs on a 3G broadband network - shows a map to track the progress of the driver towards the pick-up point.
This allows the commuter to gauge its time of arrival, and so have sufficient time to get to the pick-up point.
With the map feature, the organisations can also track the locations of its various drivers and dispatch the nearest driver should an ad-hoc request come in.
If multiple requests fall within the same route, the organisation can send one driver to pick up several passengers along the way.
The app also makes it more convenient for private volunteers to offer their transport services.
If a person suddenly needs to head to town to run an errand, he can log on to check if any disabled commuter needs a ride.
A rating system allows commuters to give feedback on private volunteers to ensure safety and reliability.
The commuter or driver can also communicate by sending each other messages should the need arise.
Published on May 21, 2012
Paralympic swimmer Theresa Goh, 25, may be a speed demon in the water, but she still needs some help on land.
That's where a new mobile app, on a two-month test run from today, may come in handy.
Called Ecommuter, the app allows disabled commuters to send requests to private volunteer drivers or drivers from welfare and transport groups when they need a ride.
It was developed by Hapticus, a home-grown Web development start-up, which had partnered the Handicaps Welfare Association (HWA) for the project. During the pilot test, 15 drivers - either private volunteers or drivers from various organisations - and their assigned passengers will try out the app.
How the app works
ONCE the disabled commuters log onto the app, they can customise their settings to filter their transport options.
For example, a disabled commuter can register himself as using a high-backed wheelchair and a member of HWA. Immediately, he will be able to view available transport services that can accommodate his type of wheelchair and services that are open to him because of his membership.
This feature eliminates the need for the disabled to make separate checks with various transport providers when making a booking.
With the listed options, the disabled commuter can then either send a transport request to a particular provider, or wait for available transport providers to offer the rides. The request can be made in advance or in real time.
Once a match has been made, the app - which runs on a 3G broadband network - shows a map to track the progress of the driver towards the pick-up point.
This allows the commuter to gauge its time of arrival, and so have sufficient time to get to the pick-up point.
With the map feature, the organisations can also track the locations of its various drivers and dispatch the nearest driver should an ad-hoc request come in.
If multiple requests fall within the same route, the organisation can send one driver to pick up several passengers along the way.
The app also makes it more convenient for private volunteers to offer their transport services.
If a person suddenly needs to head to town to run an errand, he can log on to check if any disabled commuter needs a ride.
A rating system allows commuters to give feedback on private volunteers to ensure safety and reliability.
The commuter or driver can also communicate by sending each other messages should the need arise.