Google Unveils Sustainable Travel Initiatives: Updates to Maps and Search

Google introduces several new features across its platforms to promote sustainable commuting and traveling. In Maps, users will now see public transit and walking suggestions alongside driving routes, encouraging environmentally friendly travel options.

Search now provides information on long-distance bus and train routes, facilitating access to schedules, ticket prices, and booking links.

To further promote eco-friendly alternatives, Google suggests train routes when users search for flights and enables users to view flight emissions and filter by lower-emitting options in Google Flights.

Additionally, Google makes Travel Impact Model estimates accessible via a developer API, Google Sheets add-on, and calculator on the TIM website, empowering users and developers to make informed decisions regarding travel emissions.

Google's Sustainable Travel Updates:

Public Transit and Walking Suggestions in Maps:

• Google introduces a feature in Maps displaying public transit or walking routes alongside driving directions if travel times are similar.

• Expected to roll out in the coming weeks, this feature will be available in over fifteen cities worldwide, including Amsterdam, Barcelona, London, Montreal, Paris, Rome, and Sydney.

Long-Distance Bus and Train Route Information in Search:

• Users can now access information on long-distance bus and train routes directly from Google Search.

• The feature provides schedules, ticket prices, and booking links on the search results page.

• Currently, the feature supports trains in 38 countries and long-distance bus routes in 15 countries.

Promoting Eco-Friendly Alternatives to Air Travel:

• Google will suggest train routes when users search for flights, encouraging eco-friendly alternatives to air travel.

• Additionally, Google Flights enables users to view estimated emissions for almost every flight and filter by lower-emitting options.

• These emissions estimates are powered by the Travel Impact Model (TIM) published in 2022.

Accessibility of Travel Impact Model Estimates:

Google makes TIM estimates accessible via various platforms:

• Developer API: Developers can integrate TIM estimates into their applications.

• Google Sheets add-on: Users can access TIM estimates directly within Google Sheets.

• Calculator on the TIM website: Individuals can calculate flight emissions using the TIM calculator.