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Anyone ever evaluated commute routes based on elevation change?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Fuel Economy' started by John75, May 12, 2015.

  1. John75

    John75 Junior Member

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    Just thought this was a fun exercise - mapped out two alternate routes to work tonight, and graphed the elevation profiles:

    This is my normal path to work:

    [​IMG]

    This is a potential alternate path to work:

    [​IMG]

    I wonder if that second half of the ride being considerably smoother would change my mpg in a meaningful way?
     
    #1 John75, May 12, 2015
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    thats a nice graph, what are you using for elevation data?
     
    #2 bisco, May 12, 2015
  3. John75

    John75 Junior Member

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    I did it using Google Earth's 'Show elevation profile' option.
     
    #3 John75, May 13, 2015
  4. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    Be cautious you do not improve your MPG but use more gas. The length of the drive matters.
     
    #4 JimboPalmer, May 13, 2015
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    looks like about 5 miles of smoother? might be worth a try.
     
    #5 bisco, May 13, 2015
  6. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    It's an interesting analyis...having run the Philly half marathon I know the hills...well let's just say it's not Pittsburgh...if you wanna run the Gutbuster that's where you go.

    Seriously, one issue is your downhill into work, you want to think a little about battery state of charge. A few workplaces had a huge mountain to go down, and its not so good idea to park in the sun with a totally full battery (all green on a Gen2) but that's a fairly rare scenariio.

    5K my max these days, I assure you.
     
    #6 wjtracy, May 13, 2015
  7. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    For all practical purposes, my commute is flat. 113 foot gain in 156 miles.

    [​IMG]
     
    #7 JimboPalmer, May 13, 2015
  8. John75

    John75 Junior Member

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    Wait, is that in each direction 156 miles?
     
    #8 John75, May 13, 2015
  9. chills

    chills Junior Member

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    Screen Shot 2015-05-13 at 12.48.54 PM.png Interesting... my preferred route is pretty is fairly smooth
     
    #9 chills, May 13, 2015
  10. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    I do not travel south as much as I travel north but yes, that is about 40 miles south of my home to about 110 miles north of home. Of the 11 sites I usually visit, the farthest north is 92 miles.
     
    #10 JimboPalmer, May 13, 2015
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