NREL OpenPATH

NREL OpenPATH, developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, is a powerful tool designed to help individuals and communities track their travel modes and assess their energy consumption and carbon emissions. Available at https://nrel.gov/openpath, this innovative app allows users to monitor their journeys by car, bus, bike, or on foot, providing valuable insights into their environmental impact.

The app is a game-changer for communities aiming to understand and improve their travel habits. By experimenting with different modes of transportation, users can discover more sustainable options and evaluate their effectiveness. This data is crucial for shaping transportation policies and planning initiatives that promote sustainability and accessibility in urban environments.

NREL OpenPATH not only educates individual users about the environmental consequences of their travel choices but also aggregates community-level data. This information, which includes mode shares, trip frequencies, and carbon footprints, is accessible through a public dashboard, fostering transparency and community engagement.

The app's functionality is supported by continuous data collection and analysis through a smartphone app, server, and automated data processing system. Its open-source framework ensures transparent data handling and allows customization for specific programs or studies.

Upon installation, NREL OpenPATH does not immediately collect or transmit data. Users must opt-in by clicking a link or scanning a QR code to participate in a study or program, at which point they will be prompted to consent to data collection and storage. For those not affiliated with a partner community but interested in tracking their personal carbon footprint, joining the NREL-run open-access study is an option. Your data may contribute to the control group for experiments conducted by our partners.

At its core, NREL OpenPATH functions as an automatically sensed travel diary, utilizing background location and accelerometer data. Users can enhance this diary with semantic labels as requested by program administrators or researchers, adding depth to the collected data.

It's important to note that continuous use of GPS in the background can significantly reduce battery life. To mitigate this, the app smartly deactivates GPS when you're stationary, minimizing battery drain to 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