Eco-routing will give you the right answer...er...route. As the name suggests, the ultimate aim is saving the earth - reducing fuel consumption, reducing pollution, effective energy management, ....you know this part. This is done by offering the most efficient eco-route to get a person from A to B.
There are 2 aspects to eco-routing (or green routing or whatever name everyone comes up with). One, computing an eco-route for a car to take the person from A to B and two, suggesting alternate sources of transport to create a eco-route from A to B.
In the first case, the terrain information serves as a sensor in the car by allowing it to know the ''road ahead'' - is there a curve, a steep slope ahead ? So while this information enables the driver to choose the optimal speed (and gear) thereby saving fuel, the real-time traffic updates tell the driver which route to avoid.
In the second case, the system offers the driver an alternate source of transport i.e. when there is a traffic jam because of an accident, the system tells the driver to take the train instead and no, am not kidding ! But the aim of eco-routing is to make this transition as smooth as possible i.e. it will give you the nearest parking lot, parking price per hour and the train timetable. You have to admit that this is tempting than being stuck in traffic for hours and you are doing your bit to save the earth!
......and what do you know - Google has already started working towards it or at least that's what I think. Here is something that looks like one of the first steps towards building a navigable eco-routing database - integrating public transport information as a layer.
So, are you a game for a walk or taking the train/bus to work ?
Update, as on 24-Nov 2009:
I came across this website and I was very excited that people have started realising and doing something about having no space to walk. Well, yes, it will be a while before we can see results but its good to know we are walking in the right direction for our right to walk :)
he he.. These are ok for Munich.. we are living in a Mad town called Bengalooru where there is no guarantee that we will reach home in 30 mins or 3hrs or might not reach at all.
ReplyDelete@Bharath
ReplyDeleteTrue, this obviously will begin only with developed countries. But even in India, I certainly think some changes can be made if both the system and people cooperate – pavements for instance, for pedestrians. Even if one chooses to walk, there is hardly any place to walk, like in the US, where even going next door would mean driving...its quite unfortunate.
I agree with Bharath... Atleast for the next few years, Bangalore will be busy with Metro Railway Constructions... After that may be, when the rest of the world has switched to eco-routing and when people start using i-phones to drive car, bangalore will have no choice but to think about these things....
ReplyDeleteI walk about 40 minutes and take two city buses to work.... So, ennaku traffic jam ilaina " there is something wrong" nu thonudhu ippo ellamm :)
// I certainly think some changes can be made if both the system and people cooperate //
ReplyDeleteTypical NRI statement :). you very well know that it is impossible!!
@@DewDrop
//bangalore will have no choice but to think about these things.... //
High hopes..
//I walk about 40 minutes and take two city buses to work.... So, ennaku traffic jam ilaina " there is something wrong" nu thonudhu ippo ellamm//
too bad..This is the worst torture a person can go thro'
@Bharath
ReplyDeleteI am not talking about eco-routing, am talking about improving the current situation and I think that is happening - upcoming metro (in Bombay), existing trains there, a good metro in Hyd and Delhi, adhu madhri ella oorlayum konjam public transport jasthi achuna it will help reduce traffic as well per head fuel/energy consumption.
there is also a bit of 'typical NRI' in there. Inga Indiava defend panni panni adhe pazhakam varudhu !
@Bharath
ReplyDeleteHere is another hopeful initiative along the same lines - http://www.right2walk.com/home.php
I was not talking about eco routing either :)
ReplyDeletemy comment was purely for ur system and people statement!! :)
I agree the right2walk kinds are good initiatives.. but in today's India you would find only 50+ ppl who have problem for their morning walk forming these associations.. social awareness/consciousness is really poor with the younger generation..
//there is also a bit of 'typical NRI' in there. Inga Indiava defend panni panni adhe pazhakam varudhu !//
been there done that.. but the real scenario is hopeless!!!!