Apr
13
CTA partners with Google Maps
Filed Under Green Initiatives, Transportation
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
For people who have to get around the city without a car, life just got a little easier. The CTA announced a partnership with Google Maps Tuesday. Now, instead of relying on CTA Trip Planner (which usually gives you three options, two of which are the same, and, many times, all of which fail to give you the most direct route), Google Maps has it all; an easy-to-read, interactive map and step-by-step instructions for taking Chicago public transit.
It even compares the cost of driving versus the cost of taking public transportation, in terms of gasoline versus the cost of fare. I would be interested in finding out exactly what kind of algorithm they developed to calculate “the cost of driving.” Did they factor in only gasoline? In which case, did they account for varying fuel efficiency of different vehicles (miles-per-gallon) and changing speed (fuel is burned a different rates depending on velocity)? If not, what numbers did they use? Click on the estimated cost of driving and you will be routed to a web page with the following explanation:
“Cost of driving is based on the average mileage for the shortest route between your start and end addresses, multiplied by the cost per mile that the IRS allows businesses to deduct. According to the IRS, these rates “are based on an annual study of the fixed and variable costs of operating an automobile.” Runzheimer International, an independent contractor, conducted the study for the IRS. However, this is only an estimate and doesn’t consider tolls, parking fees, or variations in gas mileage for different types of cars.” –http://maps.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?answer=81106&hl=en
This definition leaves the calculation wrapped in mystery. Maybe a few phone calls will help to reveal a little more. Let me get back you on that. And what about the real cost of driving? What about taking into account maintenance costs, licensing and inspection fees, occasional speeding and parking tickets, and, of course, the purchase price of the vehicle? Or do they consider these expenses to be non-applicable, since if we were to take these costs into account, the cost of driving versus taking public transit would always come out to something like $15,000.00+ to $2.00?
My suggestion: create another feature that compares greenhouse gas emissions from driving versus taking public transit. Need to go from Wrigley Field to the Loop? Check it out: x green house gas emissions for driving, x for public transit. Get a close-up view of the carbon footprint of your actions.
Like price analysis, this function would also be wrought with complications. For example, how many people are in the vehicle? You would have to divide by the number of people to calculate the emissions per person (this is the whole thinking behind HOV–high occupancy vehicle– lanes.) And with the el, you would have to estimate how many people ride that particular train or bus, most likely by relying on past statistics and taking into account the time of day, to arrive at the emissions per person.
To see a goofy video of how CTA trip planner with Google Maps works, go to http://maps.google.com/help/maps/transit/chicago/ or to skip instructions and dive straight in go to http://maps.google.com/
Special info box: So just how much are you helping the planet by jumping on the el?
“If you have a two-car household with two adults who work outside the home and both of them drive separately, if just one of those adults started to commute by transit they’d save 10 percent of their carbon footprint,” Bill Millar, president of the American Public Transportation Association, said. “That’s more than if they buy a new energy-efficient refrigerator, and change their lightbulbs out to compact fluorescents, and insulate their home. I don’t think people understand how just little changes wouldn’t destroy the American Way of Life as some critics would have you believe, but would make an enormous difference in these kind of big environmental issues.”