In today’s world of tech reliability, Google Map becomes indispensable in our life. Without a Google Map, whether to go somewhere by cab or to get food at home from a restaurant, these services cannot be thought of. Now, Google is going to make some changes based on the environmental needs of this world. Google Maps will soon direct people through the least polluted eco-friendly routes to their destination. This means that there will be routes where the level of pollution is low.
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Google says that this new eco-friendly feature of Google Maps will be launched in the US by the end of this year and after that, it will be rolled out in other parts of the world.
So far, Google Maps shows the shortest route or the one that takes the least time. Provides alternative roads even if there is a jam or any kind of blockage.
How this will function?
This will become the default after launch, Google Maps will only show eco-friendly routes by default. Users have to opt-out of this default setting to go to alternate routes. Google Maps will show both options when alternative routes are faster than eco-friendly routes. In such a situation, there will be statistics of greenhouse gases on both the paths on the screen of the users. By comparing them, users will be able to adopt any one path.
Google used the US Government’s National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) to estimate greenhouse gases on the roads, the number of vehicles passing through different routes, the type of vehicles (diesel, petrol or CNG), along the type of roads. These include data such as slope and climb of roads.
At the same time, Google also used drones and satellite images with its Street View vehicles. Similarly, green routes will be identified in other countries.
Google will show warning from June
Apart from this, from June 2021, Google will also start warning drivers to travel through areas with low carbon gases. In countries such as Germany, France and the Netherlands, vehicles with high carbon footprints are banned.
Users will have the option of comparing routes
By the end of this year, Google Maps will launch another feature. In this, the user will not only get the options of the routes but also theywill be able to compare between different routes of travelling.
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Soon you will see weather-based maps
Google is preparing new maps based on weather and air quality. These will be rolled out in the coming months for both Android and iOS platforms. According to a report, this map will be first launched in Australia, India and the US.
Significance of this move
Vehicles on the roads emit polluting gases and particles such as sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen, lead and particulate matter. Apart from these, ozone is also produced by special chemical reaction. All these are very harmful to our health.
Adverse effects of these effluents
Carbon monoxide:
It is a colourless, odourless, and tasteless gas that affects the oxygen supply of the heart and brain. This gas stops the supply of oxygen in the body through the bloodstream. This affects the heart and minds the most. It is especially lethal for heart patients.
Sulphur dioxide:
A small amount of this colourless gas in the air is very dangerous for asthmatic patients. It reduces the lung capacity of asthma patients significantly. It may cause Chest congestion and a high cough may.It can deteriorate condition so bad that medical help may be required. Pollution of sulphur dioxide combined with dust becomes more dangerous.
Oxides of Nitrogen:
These oxides reduce the ability of the body to fight the flu. NO2 decreases the ability to fight influenza-like infections in the lungs. Prolonged exposure to these gases increases the likelihood of acute respiratory illnessin children.
Lead:
It hinders the mental development of children. Even a small amountof lead is harmful tonew-borns and children. This can stop their cognitive development. Their ability to concentrateandmemorize can also be weakened.
Particulate matter:
These are very small particles of dust and pollutants in the air. These particles easily enter deep into the lungs. These can cause lung infections and inflammation. People with heart and lung diseases are very vulnerable to its ill effects.
Ozone:
Ozone protect us from harmful UV rays of sun. But, at the same time, ground-level ozone is very harmful to us. Vehicles do not emit the ozone directly, but it is formed by the action of nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons, and sunlight. This ozone increases the breathing difficulty as well as poses severe threat to asthmatic patients.