July 30, 2016

Uber is Working to Get More People into Fewer Cars

In his TED2016 talk, Uber co-founder Travis Kalanick talks about how we could use today’s technology to reduce congestion and pollution in our cities through carpooling.

By Melissa C. Lott

Join Our Community of Science Lovers!

This article was published in Scientific American’s former blog network and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of Scientific American

In its first 8 months in operation in Los Angeles, uberPOOL took 7.9 million miles off the roads and reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 1,400 metric tons. In fact, according to Uber co-found Travis Kalanick, 100,000 new people are carpooling through Uber every week in Los Angeles. In China, Uber is doing 15 million uberPOOL carpools per month.

Available in more than 200 cities in the United States and almost 500 cities worldwide, uberPOOL allows riders to share their ride with other going to similar destinations. When “hailing” their Uber cab using the smart phone app, riders enter their destinations and allow the app to sort out their carpool. Riders split the cab and save on their fare – and, by grouping travelers together, Uber is able to get more people into fewer cars.

In his TED2016 talk, Uber co-founder Travis Kalanick talk about how we could “reclaim our cities starting today” by turning every car into a shared mode of transportation. He discusses the exponential growth of uberPOOL in urban areas and how their company envisions turning commuter cars into shared cars in suburban areas around the world.

On supporting science journalism

If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.

One can view his talk for free here or on the TED website. The first 10:31 of the video features Kalanick’s formal remarks and is followed by a structured Q&A.

TED - which stands for Technology, Entertainment and Design - is a nonprofit "devoted to spreading ideas, usually in the form of short, powerful talks." It began in 1984 and now shares hundreds of talks for free on the internet across topics from science to business and beyond.

1. Should public transportation be free in cities with bad air quality?

2. A Day Without Cars Draws Attention to Urban Environments and Health

3. U.S. Car Manufacturers Surpass Emissions Standards for 3rd Year in a Row

Subscribe to Support Independent Journalism

Great science journalism requires human expertise, time, effort and creativity. And it costs money. That’s why I and the journalists here at Scientific American hope you’ll join our community.

When you subscribe, you are supporting staff and freelance journalists who are passionate about telling science stories that are true, important and compelling. Our editors and reporters are often experts in their fields, which means they understand the nuances of big discoveries and can untangle the breakthroughs from the hype. With a subscription, you are also supporting rigorous fact-checking to ensure the words we publish are precise and accurate. And you’re supporting original illustrations, graphics and photos that bring you closer to an advanced laboratory, an ice sheet in Antarctica or a space mission in orbit. You’re helping us craft other types of high-quality journalism as well: Our newsletters are carefully written, edited and curated by staffers you have or will come to know and love. Our Science Quickly podcast is based on original reporting, collaboration with editors and scientists and exacting production.

Subscriptions keep this engine running so we can continue to deliver thoughtful, rigorous and independent science journalism to you. In an era of viral misinformation, this work is crucial. If you value what we do, I hope you’ll consider joining us as a subscriber

Thank you,

Jeanna Bryner, Editor in Chief, Scientific American