TravelTime platform launches a new QGIS plugin that enables users to create travel time polygons, also known as isochrones, using many modes of transport. For example, a pizza restaurant owner can use the plugin to discover pizza delivery areas, such as where’s reachable within a 30-minute drive from their restaurant.
Modes of transport include driving, cycling, walking and public transit. It’s possible to combine transport modes such as driving to a train station and using public transport the rest of the way or cycling to a train station and taking a train. It’s possible to create a travel time polygon with up to 4 hours of travel time.
The travel time polygons use various data sources to determine how far you can reach. The company has a dedicated data team aggregating real-life public transport timetables for 37 countries, with the team adding new country coverage every month. Walking, driving and cycling speeds have been built using a combination of open data sources and their own proprietary algorithms to imitate how real people travel. For driving it recognises people need to walk to their vehicle, follow the speed limit and park the car.
The data supporting the TravelTime platform is being continuously improved. The company asks that if you spot something that could be improved get in touch at [email protected]. The community’s feedback is greatly appreciated and ensures that users can have the best possible plugin experience.
The plugin also includes other features including:
The plugin is installable freely from the QGIS plugin manager. The free API key offers 5,000 free requests per month, with a limit of 10 free requests per minute. Businesses wishing to use the TravelTime API for commercial purposes can use this key for the initial testing only and then can request a paid API license. Using this model, TravelTime hopes to continue to provide a high-quality free API for the community whilst still providing a valuable resource to businesses.
Charlie Davies, Co-founder of the TravelTime platform says “This QGIS plugin means that it’s easier and quicker for the geo community to generate travel time shapes without needing to do large volumes of coding. By building the plugin we hope that more people can use journey time data to make more informed decisions.”
Getting started
Get started with QGIS plugin: https://blog.traveltimeplatform.com/isochrone-qgis-plugin-traveltime
Get a free API key: https://docs.traveltimeplatform.com/overview/getting-keys/
For any questions please contact [email protected]
