Evaluating Google Maps’ Eco-Routes: A Metaheuristic-Driven Microsimulation Approach

Aleksandar Jovanovic, Slavica Gavric () and Aleksandar Stevanovic ()
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Aleksandar Jovanovic: Faculty of Engineering, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
Slavica Gavric: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
Aleksandar Stevanovic: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA

Geographies, 2024, vol. 4, issue 4, 1-21

Abstract: Eco-routing, as a key strategy for mitigating urban pollution, is gaining prominence due to the fact that minimizing travel time alone does not necessarily result in the lowest fuel consumption. This research focuses on the challenge of selecting environmentally friendly routes within an urban street network. Employing microsimulation modelling and a computer-generated mirror of a small traffic network, the study integrates real-world traffic patterns to enhance accuracy. The route selection process is informed by fuel consumption and emissions data from trajectory parameters obtained during simulation, utilizing the Comprehensive Modal Emission Model (CMEM) for emission estimation. A comprehensive analysis of specific origin–destination pairs was conducted to assess the methodology, with all vehicles adhering to routes recommended by Google Maps. The findings reveal a noteworthy disparity between microsimulation results and Google Maps recommendations for eco-friendly routes within the University of Pittsburgh Campus street network. This incongruence underscores the necessity for further investigations to validate the accuracy of Google Maps’ eco-route suggestions in urban settings. As urban areas increasingly grapple with pollution challenges, such research becomes pivotal for refining and optimizing eco-routing strategies to effectively contribute to sustainable urban mobility.

Keywords: route choice; fuel consumption; emissions; microsimulation; Google Maps (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q15 Q5 Q53 Q54 Q56 Q57 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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