Metropia
Shaping Smarter, More Sustainable Cities

Cities serve as bustling hubs of activity, yet they grapple with a multitude of challenges. These metropolitan centers contend with complex issues, ranging from rapidly growing urban populations to the frustrating traffic congestion that plagues their highways and streets. Adding to the mix are the irregular work schedules brought about by the pandemic and the heightened emphasis on environmental sustainability. Managing smart cities, with all these multifaceted problems, has become a daunting task for government agencies.

In this dynamic urban landscape, innovation thrives with the goals of alleviating congestion, enhancing urban connectivity, and addressing climate challenges. Metropia is at the forefront of achieving these objectives by delivering its advanced technology to government departments, transit agencies, cities, and businesses. Metropia’s tools assist government agencies in integrating multiple mobility options, simplifying payment for these services, and promoting accessible, sustainable, and safe mobility. Founded on the belief that while infrastructure expansion and renewal are critical, it is equally crucial to actively involve the public in addressing urban mobility issues, bridging the gap between agencies and end-users, and transforming urban commuting and movement experiences.

“When you build a new system, people don’t necessarily come immediately. It takes education, communication, marketing, and awareness,” says Yi-Chang Chiu, Founder and CEO of Metropia.

At its core, Metropia’s comprehensive approach integrates diverse transportation modes into a seamless mobility-as-a-service (MaaS) platform. This user-friendly app empowers users to plan and execute journeys, providing real-time information, customized intermodal and multimodal trip planning, live traffic and transit data, and an innovative mobility wallet designed to optimize transportation options. All of these services operate within the total mobility framework, a comprehensive solution integrating behind-the-scenes technology to streamline the transportation network, eliminate fragmentation, support sustainability, and enhance traffic management systems. Metropia’s total mobility platform, powered by AI-based algorithms and the innovative MODE behavior approach, delivers tailored and contextually relevant mobility options.

Motivating and empowering commuters to embrace alternative travel modes and reduce reliance on private vehicles is Metropia’s solution, known as Demand Management. Loyalty programs, personalized suggestions, dynamic incentives, and social carpool and vanpool options further transform the transportation ecosystem.

The company’s User Informatics leverages AI-based analytics and big data to improve incident response times and traffic flow. Supporting this is its demand system support system (T-DSS), informing system managers’ operations and management decisions and improving traffic conditions.

Carpooling barriers are overcome with its Employer Carpooling solution. This versatile carpool solution facilitates private employer ride matching, cost-sharing, trip protection, and robust security and privacy. Businesses can track and enhance employee commuting efficiency through dashboard reporting.

The effectiveness of its solutions is evident in a compelling case study. In Houston, a city plagued by congestion, Metropia partnered with the Texas Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration to form the Houston ConnectSmart program. The ConnectSmart system integrated multiple transit systems into a user friendly trip planner, offered unified ticketing via a mobility wallet, provided real-time parking information, and personalized incident notifications (constructions, crashes, flooding events, etc), and promoted carpooling among regional management districts and major corporations, significantly reducing traffic congestion and enhancing mobility.

When you build a system, people don't necessarily come immediately. It takes education, communication, marketing, and awareness

Demonstrating a strong commitment to sustainability and corporate responsibility, Metropia’s dedication extends to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting. Partnering with Metropia grants clients access to tools for monitoring, quantifying, and showcasing their environmental contributions in a world prioritizing emissions reduction and eco-friendly transportation. This resolve for quantifiable results distinguishes the company and reinforces its environmental stewardship.

Metropia’s technology deployment typically includes 6 to 12 months of system configuration and customization involving stakeholder and end-user engagement and consultations to understand local needs and shape customized solutions, identifying the strategic use of marketing channels, event support, and behavior change strategies to promote alternative transportation. After the program launch, user acquisition, retention, and behavior campaigns are implemented to quickly learn and optimize for the region.

An innovative and environmentally friendly approach lies at the heart of Metropia’s mission, empowering cities and individuals to address the challenges of urbanization. Their success is a testament to the transformative power of patience, cooperation, and innovation, guiding cities toward a more efficient, sustainable, and enjoyable future.