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We introduce and analyze an innovative transportation system called flexible mobility on demand (FMOD). FMOD provides a menu of optimized travel options in real-time. Practical considerations related to the business model for FMOD are taken into account as a pre-study for the pilot that will be conducted in Japan.

A modeling framework of FMOD is developed that integrates scheduling, routing, assortment optimization, and choice modeling methodologies. An assortment optimization model is developed with an objective function to maximize operator profit and consumer surplus.

The FMOD system is analyzed through simulation experiments in a Japanese case study. Simulations are presented for Hino city in Tokyo with different numbers of vehicles in the fleet. This analysis provides insights about the fleet size necessary to maintain reasonable levels of operator profit and consumer surplus.

We consider a business model for FMOD that offers flexibility to the operator in terms of who provides resources. The resources are managed with dedicated and non-dedicated services. The experiment indicates that operators can determine the size of the dedicated fleet based on an objective function that maximizes operator profit and passenger satisfaction.

The concepts of ethics and conscience are integral elements of architectural design education. Conscience as a guide to the ethical behavior is seen as one of the instincts which helped people to build societies, communities and cities. This attribute makes conscience and ethics essential for architecture. The process of becoming an architect through its extraordinary architectural studio experience, gives us the chance to develop hope for a better world, by creating new solutions. The discussion of architectural programs focusing on the conception of future, choices stressing values, dualities coping with ambiguity and dilemmas leading to ethics are suggested themes. Through the integration of these themes into our studio discussions, the concepts of ethics and conscience can become an integral part of design education.