SP may adopt an application that suggests alternative routes during storms

On days of heavy rain and storms, getting around the city of São Paulo becomes a completely difficult task.

One of the issues is that a journey, which would normally take half an hour, can take an hour or even more. Faced with this scenario, many drivers look for alternative routes to avoid congested roads.

Recent research, created by the Department of Transport Engineering at Escola Politécnica (Poli), in collaboration with the Institute of Astronomy, Geophysics and Atmospheric Sciences (IAG) at USP, presents a promising perspective for the development of solutions in this context.

The study focuses on analyzing the specific behavior of drivers in São Pauloconsidering climate changes that impact the use of the transport system.

To this end, a discrete choice model was created that explains how several variables influence the user’s decision when selecting a route, taking into account factors such as the distance to be covered, the estimated travel time and the intensity of the rain.

Image of the city of São Paulo with traffic. – Photo: AutoPapo/Reproduction

Model could become an app that would make drivers’ lives easier

Researcher Enzo Gonçalves Yulita highlights that the objective is to reproduce the drivers’ choices, enabling the calculation of the probabilities associated with each route.

In storm situations, the model could suggest alternative routes, helping drivers choose more suitable routes.

This, in turn, would have the potential to reduce congestion and travel times on days of heavy rain, also contributing to accidents prevention.

The study’s advisor, Cassiano Isler, envisions the possibility of integrating the results of these models into applications.

This can provide decision-making support to users during their travels.

Although the model still needs improvements, such as the implementation of a more robust database, it represents an initial step in creating a tool designed to support drivers in adverse weather conditions.

The idea is that the driver can move around the city without problems and without wasting too much time stuck in traffic. traffic jams.

Do you believe the proposal can be effective?