The Commuter Challenge, hosted by Ford Motors, seeks to redefine commuter experience as a means of alleviating the effects of congestion on the user. Incorporating time-saving features, information on tranist methods and social incentives are methods that the new proposed app takes to incorporate user experience into transiting in Shanghai, China.

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The proposed app, Toaster, creates a social universe where users create an Avatar that is a personified piece of toast like many apps throughout China that utilize characters and avatars to create a trendy platform to lure new users. By completing tasks on your to do list and achieving health goals, users are rewarded through extra content provided in the app. Active users also provide the app the ability to crowd source information about local transit times, train occupancy and best routes to give the user greater information about how to transit at their leisure. Being able to review their ride also empowers the rider to signal to upcoming platforms the quality of their experience and provides a platform for the metro company to monitor their performance.

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Other platforms may later be added or adapted to work in conjunction with the app. Such additions may look at how drivers may be given an interactive tour of the surroundings as they commute, offer suggestions and activities to circumvent congestion hours, and suggest health promoting habits.