Application Description

NREL OpenPATH, developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, is an innovative tool available at https://nrel.gov/openpath. This platform allows users to meticulously track their travel modes, including car, bus, bike, and walking, while simultaneously measuring the energy consumption and carbon emissions associated with each mode. By providing such detailed insights, NREL OpenPATH empowers individuals and communities to better understand their travel patterns and make more sustainable choices.

The app serves as a powerful tool for communities looking to enhance their transportation sustainability. It enables users to experiment with different travel options and assess their impact, which can directly influence transportation policy and urban planning. The goal is to foster the development of more sustainable and accessible cities through informed decision-making.

NREL OpenPATH not only offers personalized insights into the environmental impact of individual travel choices but also aggregates data at the community level. This data, which includes mode shares, trip frequencies, and carbon footprints, is made accessible via a public dashboard, enhancing transparency and aiding in broader research and policy development.

The platform utilizes continuous data collection and analysis through a smartphone app, supported by a server and automated data processing. Its open-source nature ensures transparent data handling and allows for customization to suit various programs or studies. Upon first installation, the app does not automatically collect or transmit data. Users must opt-in to a specific study or program by clicking a link or scanning a QR code and consent to data collection before the app starts functioning. For those interested in personal carbon footprint analysis without participating in a partner program, an open-access study run by NREL is available, where individual data may contribute to control experiments.

At its core, NREL OpenPATH functions as an automatically sensed travel diary, utilizing background location and accelerometer data. Users can enhance the diary with semantic labels as specified by program administrators or researchers. To conserve battery life, the app smartly deactivates GPS when the user is stationary, resulting in a minimal battery drain of approximately 5% for up to 3 hours of daily travel.

What's New in the Latest Version 1.9.1

Last updated on Oct 15, 2024

- Make push notifications optional since there are some programs that don't need them

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