AU2015101686A4 - Home sweet zone, method for projecting, comparing and visualising travel costs and carbon emission production for multiple locations - Google Patents

Abstract

A tool for comparing the economic and environmental impact of residing in one particular place or another. The tool compares distances between multiple specified locations and multiple specified destinations and presents the results in graphic reports. This innovation combines mapped distances with fuel cost data and motor vehicle fuel consumption data. In combination, the algorithm and automated data analysis enables a comparison of the specified locations according to their associated fuel costs, carbon footprint and projected time expenditure. This innovation permits individualised comparisons according to the user's proposed property location, frequently visited destinations, fuel prices, and vehicle type at the time of comparison. The information is translated into graphic reports that support the direct comparison of results, including visual representations of emissions produced in an equivalent number of trees. Please click on graph bars for more information Emisio Comp--ision Annual Carbon emissiao: 1921 53 85 chtsholma rd east ma tland 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 5 Figure 1

Description

1 METHOD FOR PROJECTING, COMPARING AND VISUALISING TRAVEL COSTS AND CARBON EMISSION PRODUCTION FOR MULTIPLE LOCATIONS TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] This innovative step relates to software displaying and visually comparing projected fuel costs and carbon emission production for a specific location or locations, in conjunction with mapped frequently visited locations of the software user. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION/INNOVATION [0002] The technological innovation relates to software with the capability to compare distances between multiple specified locations and multiple specified destinations on a map. This information is combined with additional data relating to fuel costs and motor vehicle fuel consumption data. In combination, the software and data analysis enables a comparison of the specified locations according to their associated fuel costs, carbon footprint and time expenditure. [0003] Property purchasers look for value-for-money for their financial investment prior to purchasing, however, the long-term and perceived value of a property is more complex than the purchase price. Where we live determines residents' daily commutes and influences how often and how easily residents connect with friends and family. SUMMARY [0004] This innovation allows users to calculate beyond upfront costs when comparing housing prices. The software enables purchasers to factor in the cost of travelling and time lost between frequent destinations such as school, work, sporting venues, and relatives and friends' homes. Until now, if a property buyer wanted to factor in travel costs and considerations, they would be making rough estimates using (at best) historical data.

2 [0005] Software users input their most frequently visited destinations and prospective properties to compare the projected weekly travel costs, carbon footprint, and time spent on the road. The tool aims to help users with property decisions, allowing them to save time, money and impact on the environment. The software has been developed for use on Android mobile platforms, iOS mobile platforms and desktop devices. SOLUTION TO PROBLEM [0006] The algorithm used by the comparison tool is described in this embodiment. Where FLI = Frequented location 1, FL2 = Frequented Equation 1 location 2, FL3 = Frequented location 3 and TF1 = No of times Frequented location 1 is frequented per year, TF2 = No of times Frequented location 2 is frequented per year, TF3 = No of times Frequented location 3 is frequented per year and PLI = Proposed location 1, PL2 = Proposed location 2, PL3= Proposed location 3. VT = Vehicle type i.e. light vehicle (1-1.4 litre); small vehicle Equation 2 (1.6-1.8 litre); medium vehicle (2.0-2.4 litre); SUV 92.4-3.5 litre); All terrain vehicle (3.6 litre+ Litre) FT = Fuel type i.e. Unleaded E10; Unleaded (91-98 Octane); Equation 3 Diesel; LPG CT = Estimated cost of travel per Km (or mile) including cost of Equation 4 fuel, vehicle maintenance and insurance, D1 = Distance from PLI to FL1; D2 = Distance from PLI to Equation 5 FL2; D3 = Distance from PLI to FL3; TI = Time to travel from PLI to FLI; T2 = Time to travel from PLI to FL2; T3 = Time to travel from PL 1 to FL3.

3 PLI Annual Cost = {(D1 x 2) x TF1}+{(D2 x 2) x TF2) +{(D3 x Equation 6 2) x TF3} x CT PLI Monthly Cost = PLI Annual Cost divided by 12 Equation 7 PLI Weekly Cost = PLI Annual Cost divided by 52 Equation 8 PLI Annual Travel Time = {(T1 x 2) x TF1}+{(T2 x 2) x TF2) Equation 9 +{(T3 x 2) x TF3} PL Monthly Travel Time = PLI Annual Travel Time divided by Equation 10 12 PL Weekly Travel Time = PLI Annual Travel Time divided by Equation 11 52 PLI Annual Trees to plant = Estimated no of trees required to Equation 12 neutralize users carbon footprint based on profile data provided. [0007] The formula to calculate emissions is as follows: Distance (kilometres) (as per settings) Equation 13 Carbon emissions (tonnes of carbon dioxide - tCO2) = 2.47 Equation 14 * (total distance) * ((cost/km) / (cost/litre)) Equivalent number. of trees = carbon emissions / 200 Equation 15 Where default cost per kilometre: 1 - 1.4 litre: light cars = Equation 16 0.072 and 1.6 - 1.8 litre: small cars = 0.010 and 2 - 2.4 litre: medium = 0.116 and 2.4 - 3.5 litre: SUV = 0.141 and 3.6+litre: all terrain = 0.175 Fuel Cost per litre standardised to: Unleaded E10 - 1.45 /litre Equation 17 and Unleaded (91 - 98 Octane) - 1.55 /litre and Diesel - 1.50 /litre and LPG - 0.7500 /litre 4 [0008] Using the algorithm provided, this tool permits individualised comparisons of projected travel cost, travel time and carbon emission production according to the user's proposed property location, frequently visited destination and vehicle type. [0009] By using individual data prior to property decision making, this innovation supports a projection of travel time, fuel cost and carbon emission production for a specific individual by specific location; a projection which is more accurate than any dependent on historical data, and one which allows the projection to be compared against other specified location projections. ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION [0010] The calculated, personalised results can be displayed in visual charts for comparison. For example, time and cost can be displayed in bar charts so that users see which prospective properties will cost the most or least in travel time and fuel costs on a weekly basis. [0011] Calculated carbon emissions per prospective property can be displayed in numerical figures, as bar charts or in a visual format which shows the equivalent number of trees required to compensate for the emissions produced per location for that user. [0012] Graphic reports for personalised results comparing carbon production, travel time and fuel costs are generated automatically; examples of the graphic reports are supplied. [0013] By displaying and comparing projected carbon emissions in equivalent number of trees, users are able to visualise the effect of their decision and encouraged to make purchases with a lower carbon impact. [0014] By displaying and comparing projected travel times, users are encouraged to prioritise purchases that improve quality of life through shorter commuting times and maintained connections with community. [0015] By displaying and comparing results benchmarked against a favoured property, the innovation enables users to visualise improvements as a percentage e.g. purchasing a property compared to the benchmarked property might result in 20 per cent greater fuel costs than the benchmarked favourite.

Claims (5)

1. A method for analysing fuel costs and associated factors substantially as herein described.

2. The visual representation of economic, time and environmental costs by specified locations to enable comparisons according to a location's associated fuel costs, carbon footprint and projected time expenditure.

3. The visual representation of carbon emissions as an equivalent number of trees required to compensate for the emissions produced.

4. Software using the specified algorithm which calculates and compares distances between multiple specified locations and multiple specified destinations on a map.

5. The combination of individual distance calculations with data relating to fuel costs and motor vehicle fuel consumption data.