Frequently Asked Questions.

track4science collects mobility data to develop sustainable transport solutions and test them in real-world field experiments. The project builds an open research infrastructure that benefits the entire scientific community — enabling smarter urban planning and more liveable cities.

We use statistical methods to analyze mobility patterns, generate traffic forecasts, and optimize transportation networks. Our focus areas include distances traveled by transport mode, multimodal journey chains, commuter flows, and traffic hotspots.

Anonymized datasets are shared freely with the research community. Students can also use the data for their theses — a genuine opportunity for hands-on, impactful academic work.

The pilot study currently targets students and staff at Bildungscampus Heilbronn. An expansion across Baden-Württemberg is planned for the future.

Download the app, set your consent preferences, and complete your profile. After that, your mobility data is captured automatically — no effort required on your part.

Absolutely. Participation is entirely voluntary. You can pause tracking or have your data deleted at any time.

Yes! You can join anytime between May 2024 and October 2025. The earlier you start, the more you contribute to the research — and the more chances you have to win prizes.

You support meaningful mobility research, gain insights into your own travel behavior, and have the chance to win attractive prizes in our monthly raffles.

A movement profile is created using your smartphone's sensors — GPS, timestamps, and motion data. An AI algorithm derives individual trip segments and identifies the transport modes used.

Traditional diary methods are burdensome and error-prone. The app captures data automatically over extended periods — more accurately and with far less effort on your part.

GPS coordinates, accelerometer, gyroscope, barometer, magnetometer, motion activity, device information, and app usage data. All data is stored in pseudonymized form.

Surveys provide context behind your mobility patterns — such as why you choose certain transport modes or what factors influence your route decisions.

You need at least Android 6.0 or an iPhone 6s (or newer) running iOS 13.4 or later.

Set location access to "Always Allow" and disable battery optimization for the app. On iPhone, also enable Motion & Fitness access.

The app consumes approximately 3% battery per hour of active tracking. With typical usage of up to 4 hours of active mobility per day, the impact remains minimal.

About 2 KB/day on WiFi and up to 2.5 MB/day on mobile data. The app is optimized to be as efficient as possible with your data plan.

Yes, you can toggle recording on and off at any time in the app settings.

The app records during your active mobility. All data is handled in full compliance with GDPR and is overseen by an independent external data protection officer.

Your sensor data is separated from your identity using a random UUID. The research team sees mobility patterns, but cannot trace them back to you personally.

In an ISO 27001-certified data center in Germany, meeting the highest international security standards.

All transfers between the app and our servers use strong cryptographic encryption, preventing unauthorized access.

Yes, at any time. Simply email datenschutz@track4science.de and your account will be fully deleted.

Exclusively for prize notifications, survey invitations, and important study updates. No spam, ever.

The research team works with pseudonymized data. External researchers only receive fully anonymized datasets — tracing data back to individuals is impossible.

Install the app and consent to raffle participation. Every recorded trip earns you an additional lottery ticket.

Anyone aged 18 or over, residing in Germany, who is a student or staff member at Bildungscampus Heilbronn.

We raffle 12 prizes per month, each worth €35. You can choose between a voucher or CO₂ compensation.

Through a fair lottery based on your activity: the more trips you record, the more tickets you have in the draw.

The prize is forfeited after 3 weeks and a replacement winner is drawn.