Dynamic Route Planning for Urban Green Mobility (DRUM) App
air pollution remains health crisis in Indian cities, accounting for 7.2% of annual deaths. Researchers have established that airborne particulate matter can reduce life expectancy by up to five years. Traffic-related pollution is often underestimated, with commuting accounting for a disproportionate share of exposure. To address this, a team from IIT Kharagpur developed the Dynamic Route Planning for Urban Green Mobility (DRUM) web app, which aids users in selecting routes based on air quality and energy efficiency.
About Air Pollution Impact
Air pollution is a critical concern in urban India. Major cities experience severe health impacts due to traffic emissions. Commuters are often unaware of the risks associated with their daily travel. Studies indicate that amount of pollution exposure occurs during commuting hours.
Introduction to DRUM
DRUM is a web application designed to help users choose routes that minimise air pollution exposure. The app offers five route options – shortest, fastest, least exposure to air pollution (LEAP), least energy consumption route (LECR), and a suggested route that balances all factors. This innovative approach aims to enhance urban mobility while prioritising health.
Route Options and Benefits
The LEAP route reduced pollution exposure by over 50% in Central Delhi, despite increasing commute time by 40%. The LECR option decreased energy consumption by 28% in South Delhi. These trade-offs highlight the importance of informed route selection, especially for vulnerable populations.
Technical Challenges and Solutions
Integrating real-time air quality and traffic data posed substantial technical challenges. The team faced limitations due to insufficient air quality monitoring stations across India. They relied on data from the Central Pollution Control Board and the World Air Quality Index, employing segment-wise interpolation to estimate pollution levels in unmonitored areas.
Operation of DRUM
DRUM operates using a rank-based elimination method prioritising time, distance, pollution exposure, and energy consumption. The system employs the GraphHopper routing library and fetches live updates from Mapbox. This enables the app to adapt to various vehicles and urban environments beyond Delhi.
Future Developments and Real-World Testing
Following promising simulations, the team plans to conduct real-world tests. They aim to incorporate crowdsourced data and low-cost sensors to expand the app’s capabilities. Future iterations, like DRUM 2.0, will utilise machine learning to predict air quality and traffic, providing users with optimal routes and departure times.
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