Research several car-pooling websites. Create an application that calculates your daily driving cost, so that you can estimate how much money could be saved by car pooling, which also has other advantages such as reducing carbon emissions and reducing traffic congestion. The application should input the following information and display the user's cost per day of driving to work: a) Total miles driven per day. b) Cost per gallon of gasoline. c) Average miles per gallon. d) Parking fees per day. e) Tolls per day.

Carpooling is a sustainable and budget-friendly traveling option that involves sharing a ride with one or more individuals to the same or nearby destinations. One of the most direct advantages of carpooling is cost savings. When individuals share a ride, they split the costs associated with commuting, such as gasoline, tolls, and parking fees. This means, based on the textbook exercise, by dividing the total daily driving cost among carpoolers, each person pays less than they would if driving alone.

Additionally, carpooling fosters social interactions and can make commuting a more pleasant experience. It might allow access to HOV (High Occupancy Vehicle) lanes, which often means less time spent in traffic. Being able to use these lanes can further reduce fuel consumption and commuter stress. Also, less dependency on personal vehicles can lead to less frequent maintenance and potentially reduce the need for a second car, enhancing long-term savings.

Carbon emissions from vehicles are a significant cause of air pollution and contribute to climate change. By sharing rides, fewer vehicles are on the road, directly reducing the volume of emissions. Considering the daily driving cost exercise, fewer gallons of gasoline would be burned per individual, leading to a proportional decrease in emitted greenhouse gases.

This reduction contributes to improved air quality and a lesser impact on the environment. Even small changes, such as one less car on the road per carpool group, can have a considerable cumulative effect. Hence, adopting carpooling can be a critical step towards sustainability and combating climate change, aligning personal, communal, and global benefits.

Traffic congestion is not only frustrating for drivers but also economically draining and environmentally damaging. Every car on the road contributes to the problem. Accordingly, carpooling presents a solution to mitigate congestion, as it effectively decreases the number of vehicles on roads, especially during high-traffic periods like rush hours.

With fewer cars, traffic flow improves, leading to shorter travel times and less idling, which in turn saves fuel—a cost accounted for in the daily driving expense calculation. Municipal and state governments often encourage carpooling through diverse initiatives, recognizing its role in easing urban traffic challenges. Improved traffic conditions can further result in lower rates of accidents and less wear and tear on infrastructure.