What’s changing on your maps?
For the past few weeks, regular users of driving apps like Waze or Google Maps have started to observe something odd: their trips seem to be taking longer than before. Even the shortest route isn’t showing up as the first choice anymore. Are the apps acting up? Is it déjà vu? Not at all, explains Le Journal du Geek.
In fact, it’s not some bug or tech glitch. Instead, both of these popular apps have begun prioritizing routes with the smallest environmental impact, rather than the fastest or shortest. So if you’re wondering why you’re clocking more time behind the wheel, you have a new eco-conscious agenda to thank.
The government steps in: less pollution, more time
What’s driven this shift isn’t a whimsical software update but a French government decree. According to decree no. 2022-1199, which came into effect on August 31, 2022, digital travel-assistance platforms are now legally required to highlight routes that are the least polluting.
To quote the regulation:
“Digital services that aim to facilitate multimodal travel must prioritize options that have the lowest impact in terms of greenhouse gas emissions.”
In other words, navigation apps now have to put eco-friendly itineraries front and center—routes specifically designed to reduce CO2 emissions, even if they take a little longer. What’s more, the apps must clearly display the carbon footprint for every proposed journey, giving you, the driver, the chance to make an informed (and greener) choice.
New rules for route suggestions
This rule change comes with a couple of significant features:
- Apps should always offer drivers several routes, allowing you to pick whichever you prefer.
- If a proposed route includes a stretch where the maximum authorized speed is 110 km/h (about 68 mph) or higher, apps must now show an alternative route where the speed is reduced by 20 km/h (about 12 mph).
So, if your favorite app starts nudging you along the scenic (and slightly slower) route, now you know why!
Decongestion—and a bit of controversy
While the shift is certainly meant to reduce emissions, the government also hopes it will help unclog some of the worst-affected roads. According to Le Journal du Geek, the Paris region (Ile-de-France) even requested that Google Maps offer alternative routes to help ease congestion on busy stretches.
Pressure wasn’t just coming from one direction. Waze and Google Maps finally rolled out these government-mandated changes from the 2022 decree thanks, in no small part, to various stakeholders keeping up the pressure.
Take January 2024, for example: Ouest-France reports that as the Paris Olympics approached, the general manager of Ile-de-France Mobilités made it crystal clear that the stakes were high. He highlighted their purpose-built ‘Ile-de-France Mobilités’ app, specifically created to optimize traffic and steer clear of jams. As he told reporters:
“If they don’t do it, the State will have to make the necessary decisions. We’ll ask them to shut down their apps. This is a matter of public safety.”
Now, the changes are in effect. And unsurprisingly, it’s drivers who are left fuming in the slow lane—sometimes literally. But hey, at least we’re saving the planet, one extra minute at a time, right?
