This memo provides information to answer the following questions on GPS data collection for auto-rickshaws:
- What data will be collected?
- How will the data be collected?
- What will be the applications of the GPS data?
What data will be collected?
- Position (latitude/longitude) data at specified time intervals (typically every 5 seconds)
- Speed (in km/h at specified time intervals, typically 5 seconds)
- Points of interest: Points of boarding and alighting, and all other points of interest (such as fueling stop, inspection/maintenance/repair facility, idling at a traffic signal, engine turn-on and turn-off, or waiting for passengers)
Position and speed of auto-rickshaws will be automatically recorded by the device every 5 seconds over the course of the day, when the device has been turned to the data ‘log’ mode. Points of interest will have to be recorded manually by the driver by pressing the “push button” in the device. In addition to data collected from the devices, data on vehicle characteristics will be obtained from the driver at the time when devices are installed such as age of vehicle, and model/engine type.
How will the data be collected?
Data will be collected by installing the GPS devices in auto-rickshaws at the start of the day (and turning them to data log mode) and retrieving the devices at the end of the day. It is envisioned that the device installation and retrieval would occur at designated fueling stations. The first step will be to identify a set of auto-rickshaws that are agreeable to participate in the data collection effort. To incentivize their participation, their daily fuel expenses will be reimbursed, at the time when the devices are retrieved at the fueling stations at the end of the day.
What will be the applications of the GPS data?
The data collected from the GPS devices will be used for the following applications:
- Daily hours of operation of auto-rickshaws
- Daily kilometers traveled
- Daily fuel consumption and mileage
- Average trip length for passenger trips
- % daily kilometers that are empty
- % stopped time
- Speeds for emissions calculations (along with other inputs such as kms traveled, engine/vehicle characteristics)