Knowledge Base
The Benefits of Low Emission Zones in Routing API
In recent years, there has been a growing awareness of the need to reduce air pollution in cities around the world. Low Emission Zones (LEZ) are one of the measures that many cities have implemented to tackle this problem.
LEZ restrict the access of high-polluting vehicles to certain areas of the city or to specific times of the day. Now, with the latest update to Routing API, TomTom customers have access to LEZ information that can be used to create more efficient and sustainable routes. Here are some of the benefits of this new feature:
Avoiding Low Emission Zones
With the LEZ data available in Routing API, customers can now create routes that avoid low emission zones. This feature is similar to the "avoid highway/toll" option that many navigation apps offer. By avoiding low emission zones, drivers can reduce the risk of receiving unexpected fines and the inefficiency that comes with rerouting in the middle of a journey.Knowing Where Low Emission Zones are Located
In addition to avoiding low emission zones, Routing API allows customers to see where these zones are located in their routes. This is useful for planning purposes and can help drivers to avoid driving through areas that are restricted to high-polluting vehicles. To use this feature, we just need to use the "calculateRoute" end point with this parameter:| Parameter | Type | Value |
|---|---|---|
| avoid | String | lowEmissionZones |
Check the API explorer for the Routing API to test it. Don't forget to log in to add your API Key automatically.
Notifying Drivers about Approaching Low Emission Zones
Finally, Routing API can also notify drivers when they are approaching a low emission zone. This can help them to prepare for any necessary rerouting or to ensure that their vehicle meets the required emissions standards.This is done with the Geofencing API. It is a bit more complex and probably you will enjoy this demo showcasing a similar feature.
All of these features can help TomTom customers to reduce their costs and improve their operations by avoiding unexpected fines and inefficiencies due to unforeseen low emission zones.Quality and Coverage
TomTom's LEZ data covers 376 cities globally, providing detailed information about the location and length of low emission zones. In comparison to competitors such as Google and HERE, TomTom's LEZ data offers better coverage and quality at a lower cost.What's Next
TomTom plans to integrate LEZ data into other APIs and services, including Snap to Roads API, Navigation SDK, and Map Display API. Integration into plan.tomtom.com and AmiGo is also expected shortly.
In conclusion, the addition of Low Emission Zones information to Routing API is a significant step forward in promoting sustainable and efficient transportation. TomTom's LEZ data offers competitive coverage and quality, helping customers to reduce their costs and improve their operations.