ENG​/IT

·        THE PROPOSAL: Introducing an eco mode in google maps can have an enormous impact on CO2 emissions due to its massive user base. It would calculate a path also taking in consideration optimal speed for efficiency, fluidity of traffic, changes of elevation and other things listed below.

Considering all things, if it turns out to be effective it is likely to reduce fuel consumption by 16% and above.

·        THE BENEFITS: This functionality has the potential to reduce costs for drivers, reduce pollution for everybody and at the same time it is likely to improve the already outstanding google reputation. It’s a win win scenario.

·        FUNCTIONALITIES AND NUMBERS: the path should be calculated taking into account changes in elevation and fluidity of the traffic. Keeping the driving as consistent as possible can help a great deal, as aggressive and not very fluent driving can reduce efficiency from 10 to 40 %. This can be done by the path calculator, which should always present the eco option alongside the others. The algorithm should also try to keep the car in roads that have speeds around 50 mph (80 km/h) or 35 mph (56 km/h). this can improve fuel efficiency from 7 to 14 %.

A pop up window, if possible, should be implemented giving tips on how to improve fuel efficiency. For example, such things would be: Keep your tires inflated (3% less fuel consumed), use the recommended motor oil (1-2% less fuel consumed), avoid carrying unnecessary things ( 100 pounds can increase fuel consumption by 2%) and keep the engine and air filters well maintained ( can increase fuel consumption up to 50%).

Also, a driver feedback feature should be implemented in this mode, as a new study seems to point out that It can reduce fuel consumption from 3 to 10 %.

·        HOW I GOT THE NUMBER (82 MILLION TONS OF CO2)?: According to wolfram alpha, we emit about 15,13 billion of tons of CO2 every year. 15% of the former is actually due to road transport, of which 66% is due of small transports and cars, which are likely the user base of the app.  Google maps is used by 67% of all drivers. Lastly, taking into account the possibilities to cut down on fuel consumption, a good conservative guess would be that such user base could augment their mileage by 16% . to account everyone not joining in and other unpredictable things the resulting estimate derived from those considerations was cut down by half.

·        WHY GOOGLE MAPS?: Google maps is the leader of this industry, if he adopts it, most other navigator apps will have to follow, and they also have surely enough resources for this little new functionality.

Sources:

https://www.reefrelief.org/act/tips-for-eco-friendly-driving/​

https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/driveHabits.jsp​

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy-efficient_driving

A. D.