New Delhi: Google is introducing features to Maps and Search that makes it easier for users to opt for more sustainable options when it comes to commuting or travelling. Even when specifically looking for driving routes, Google Maps will now display public transport and walking routes, if the travel timings are similar and practical. Users will also be displayed alternatives for air travel.
The public transport and walking suggestions as alternatives for driving routes will be available in fifteen cities around the world initially, primarily across Europe and Australia. This feature will be rolling out in the next few weeks, and will not be available in India, at least initially.
The search feature that displays information on long-distance train routes has been expanded to show schedules and ticket prices in the search results itself, along with links to book the tickets. There is now support for searching for long-distance bus routes as well. The information on long distance bus routes is available in some European and South American countries, as well as the United States. The information for long distance train routes are available in many countries across the world, but not India.
Google has already been displaying users with train route alternatives when they look for flights. Now, the train route alternatives will also be displayed within Google Flights. In Google Flights, Google displays the environmental impact of every trip. This information is based on a model developed by Google called the Travel Impact Model (TIM) to predict the emissions of each passenger for a flight.
Google Flights displays the emissions for each flight. (Image Credit: Google Flights/News9).
Now, Google is making the TIM estimates available through a developer API, that allows third party apps or websites to display information for flight emissions. There is also a calculator on the TIM website, and an add-on for Google Sheets.