An idea for a system to calculate “expected effort” for a given journey. This would require access to a solid geographical/infrastructural database (I’m looking at you, Google Maps), as well as input from the user regarding travel timing and methodology.
In short, it would be neat to find some way of working out how much time, money, and difficulty will go into a trip. This could help optimize routes and mode of transport. A simple example might be deciding whether or not to use a bike or to walk a certain distance, based on the calculated effort of either option.
The key would be in differing effort-efficiencies for a given route and mode of transport. Maybe the bike is best on flat routes, but for a zig-zagging uphill trip, walking might be better. Maybe a bike path is less expensive than the road-route, but gas prices are low and your fuel efficiency is high, so it’s worth saving the time by driving. Also, this could be useful for joggers trying to find running paths that suit their desires, since expected weather effects and hilliness are a big deal when you’re on foot.
Components to Consider:
- Geography
- Basic spatial gradient network
- No-go zones based on zoning/vegetation/private-property
- Timing of trip
- Relevant for calculating traffic/weather
- Should allow for optional rest stops at given positions, times-of-day, or time-traveled
- Roads/Paths
- Speed limits
- Expected traffic/congestion/weather limitations
- Balance of User Objectives
- Time expended
- Effort expended
- Cost expended per trip
- Desired location(s) reached precisely
- Capital costs for modes of transportation
- Exercise
- Mode of transport
- Mode efficiency dependent on topography
- Mode efficiency dependent on velocity
- Mode speed ranges
- Mode cost for given efficiencies (gas costs, fuel efficiency)
