A new study highlights the potential downsides of fuel-sensitive eco-routing, a strategy designed to reduce traffic-related environmental impacts. While eco-routing prioritizes fuel-efficient routes over faster highways, simulations for the San Francisco Bay Area and Tokyo reveal that it can increase traffic on local streets, raising residents’ exposure to traffic and pollution. Using agent-based simulations and data-driven fuel models, the study shows that traffic redistribution depends on factors like the availability of major roads and existing congestion levels. These findings emphasize the need for careful consideration of eco-routing’s broader urban impacts.
Figure 1. Network density comparison
Spatial system perspective of understanding “fuel-sensitive routes” using regional-scale case studies
Bingyu Zhao, Kenichi Soga, Masahiko Iwama