Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution/TfL
Google Maps keeps getting more refinements to improve navigation, and in addition to fuel-efficient routes launching in more countries, the application is also focusing on other ways to improve sustainable means of transportation.
The latest news on this front comes from London, where the Mountain View-based search giant has worked with local officials specifically to improve navigation features for cyclists.
Google Maps is already one of the leading apps for in-car navigation in the United Kingdom and London, but the application also provides cyclists with routes and turn-by-turn navigation.
Truth be told, Google Maps has never excelled on this front. The application indeed includes cycling navigation, but the feature leaves a lot to be desired, especially in London, where the cycling infrastructure has improved significantly in the last few years. The city had only 90 km of cycleways in 2016, but thanks to massive investments in this means of transportation, it now operates a cycling network that measures more than 340 km.
Google Maps apparently failed to keep up with the expansion of the cycling network, so the information it provided to users was inaccurate and incomplete.
It's why TfL joined forces with Google to overhaul the service in London. Google Maps received a major update that includes full data on the cycling network in London. As a result, the routes are more accurate and include sectors that weren't previously available.
Google says it'll also provide cyclists with additional features, including a detailed preview of the route before starting navigation. Additionally, Google Maps will offer suggestions that take into account traffic conditions, bringing cycling navigation almost in line with the deriving mode.
The company claims the new features will roll out gradually to cyclists in London, but everybody should have access to the entire lineup this year.
Meanwhile, Google is also working on other improvements for Google Maps, including expanding eco-friendly routing. With this feature, Google Maps no longer defaults to the fastest routes, providing users with alternative options to arrive at their destinations with reduced fuel consumption. The feature improves the routing engine by adding more factors to route calculation, including the road incline and the travel speed.
Google says the feature is already doing its job, as it helped reduce carbon emissions by the equivalent of taking 500,000 cars with combustion engines off the road. The eco-friendly routing is available in the United States, Canada, and Europe, with Google planning to launch it in new regions, including India. Google says the eco-friendly routes will also include motorcycles, considering the high adoption of this means of transportation in the country.
The company promises to expand the eco-friendly routing to the new markets by the end of the year, so Google Maps users worldwide are in for several big announcements in the coming months.
Google Maps is already one of the leading apps for in-car navigation in the United Kingdom and London, but the application also provides cyclists with routes and turn-by-turn navigation.
Truth be told, Google Maps has never excelled on this front. The application indeed includes cycling navigation, but the feature leaves a lot to be desired, especially in London, where the cycling infrastructure has improved significantly in the last few years. The city had only 90 km of cycleways in 2016, but thanks to massive investments in this means of transportation, it now operates a cycling network that measures more than 340 km.
Google Maps apparently failed to keep up with the expansion of the cycling network, so the information it provided to users was inaccurate and incomplete.
It's why TfL joined forces with Google to overhaul the service in London. Google Maps received a major update that includes full data on the cycling network in London. As a result, the routes are more accurate and include sectors that weren't previously available.
Google says it'll also provide cyclists with additional features, including a detailed preview of the route before starting navigation. Additionally, Google Maps will offer suggestions that take into account traffic conditions, bringing cycling navigation almost in line with the deriving mode.
The company claims the new features will roll out gradually to cyclists in London, but everybody should have access to the entire lineup this year.
Meanwhile, Google is also working on other improvements for Google Maps, including expanding eco-friendly routing. With this feature, Google Maps no longer defaults to the fastest routes, providing users with alternative options to arrive at their destinations with reduced fuel consumption. The feature improves the routing engine by adding more factors to route calculation, including the road incline and the travel speed.
Google says the feature is already doing its job, as it helped reduce carbon emissions by the equivalent of taking 500,000 cars with combustion engines off the road. The eco-friendly routing is available in the United States, Canada, and Europe, with Google planning to launch it in new regions, including India. Google says the eco-friendly routes will also include motorcycles, considering the high adoption of this means of transportation in the country.
The company promises to expand the eco-friendly routing to the new markets by the end of the year, so Google Maps users worldwide are in for several big announcements in the coming months.
Google News