TTI EXPRESS TRAVEL LOGGER App Privacy Policy

The app uses location and user interaction data in the background to be able to track a user’s location during a trip and if the user is on a freeway with express lanes. If the app is open and active, the app monitors the device location. These permissions run in the background. During the trip the location data is captured. The location data is used for our research.

PRIVACY POLICY

The Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) respects user’s privacy. It is the policy of TTI to protect the information provided to us. TTI will not share, sell, rent, or otherwise distribute collected information to any entity outside the A&M System for any commercial purposes. This information will be shared with Westat for this research project only.

USER DATA POLICY

Location Data – All location information is encrypted and is only collected when a trip is active. TTI uses location information to generate the user’s trip map once the user logs into the app and the app is open and active. This trip information is then stored within the Trips page on the app. Following is the statement that all users of the app see inside of the app as it relates to their location data:

“We have to collect your location data for this research. We only collect the data when a trip is active. This data is only used for monitoring travel on freeways with express lanes. The location data that is collected is stored encrypted. We will delete data from trips that do not include freeways with express lanes”

We only use location information for understanding your travel on freeways with express lanes. When you log into a new device or uninstall/install the app, it will download your trip information along with the trips location data.

User Data – All user identifiable information/data is encrypted. Upon sign-up to the research project, TTI collects user’s information. TTI and Westat study staff will protect user’s personal information closely. Federal and/or state laws may require that information be shared with university or government officials (or sponsors) who are responsible for monitoring the safety of any study(ies) related to this app. Any personal information (e.g. user names, phone numbers, emails) will be safeguarded and maintained under controlled conditions and will not be included in any publication(s) associated with such study(ies).

Permissions to text your cell phone are required to ask if you were on the express lane or general purpose lane.

CONTACT POLICY

Electronic mail regarding this app that contains personally identifying information will only be used to respond to your request.

TTI EXPRESS TRAVEL LOGGER App Terms and Conditions

You are being asked to join a research study conducted by the Texas A&M Transportation Institute and Westat. This research project is examining people’s travel on freeways with express lanes. To accomplish this goal, we are asking people to download this smartphone application to their phones. When activated, this application records a trip any time that the app is open while your car is in motion. The application collects information about the route that you drive such as latitude and longitude on a map.

No data will be recorded when you are not using the application. Information about other applications you use on your phone is not recorded.