Campus Services & Sustainability introduces Houston ConnectSmart, a mobility app designed to help students, faculty, and staff navigate Houston more efficiently and sustainably. This app provides real-time transportation solutions, offering a seamless experience for commuting to campus, exploring the city, or coordinating carpools.
About the Houston ConnectSmart App
Houston ConnectSmart’s platform integrates various commuting options, including public transit, biking, walking, carpooling, and ride sharing. The app enables users to make informed travel decisions based on factors such as traffic conditions, cost, and environmental impact. By signing up for the app with your Rice email address, community members can take advantage of a range of free-to-them features, including:
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Real-Time Traffic and Transit Updates - Provides live traffic reports and updates on Metro bus and rail schedules, helping users avoid delays.
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Personalized Route Planning - Users can plan trips based on their preferred mode of transportation, whether driving, biking, or using public transit.
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Carpool Matching - Facilitates carpooling by connecting users with others in the Rice community or greater Houston area, reducing travel costs and carbon emissions.
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Uber Integration – Users can book an Uber driver directly through the ConnectSmart interface.
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Seamless Multi-Modal Travel - Allows users to combine multiple transportation options, such as biking to a Metro stop or walking from a bus drop-off to campus.
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Environmental Impact Tracking - Provides data on users' positive environmental footprint, including pounds of CO2 saved and miles undriven.
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Rewards for Sustainable Travel - Users earn coins for each alternative transportation trip taken, which can be redeemed for gift cards to retailers like Target, Starbucks, and Amazon or to pay for Uber trips. The more eco-friendly trips users take, the more coins they accumulate, incentivizing sustainable commuting choices.
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Safety and Accessibility Features - Includes pedestrian-friendly routes, emergency assistance, and navigation options for individuals with mobility challenges, ensuring a safer commute.
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Customize Display – Allows users to switch their navigation view to Google or Apple maps and display via CarPlay.
Encouraging Smarter Transportation Choices
Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to download the app, create a free account, and explore Houston ConnectSmart to see how they can improve their transportation options. Getting started is quick and easy with a few simple steps:
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Download the app on the App Store or Google Play.
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Create an account with an email address.
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Join the Rice carpool pool by clicking “Manage Groups” under the “Carpool” tab, selecting “Join a Group,” and validating your Rice email address. This will provide access to features designed for the university community and affiliate your trip metrics with the overall campus metrics.
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Plan a trip with customized route suggestions based on real-time conditions and individual preferences.
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Start navigating to find more efficient, streamlined travel options for the daily commute or for a trip.
By adopting smarter commuting habits, the Rice community can contribute to a more connected, efficient, and environmentally friendly transportation system. For more information on Rice’s sustainability initiatives or to get involved, please contact Matt Eggert at me75@rice.edu.