Resilience Scanner

Heat-Stress-Avoidant Navigation App for Vulnerable Populations

Solution Overview

The Heat Adaptation for Vulnerable Population Groups (HEAL) project developed a heat-stress-avoidant navigation application to help at-risk groups and others navigate the city more safely during periods of extreme heat.[3] This initiative was funded by the Baden-Württemberg Foundation from 2021 to 2024, focusing on practical solutions to mitigate heat stress.[1] The project was initiated with the objective to transcend academic boundaries and address the pressing problem of heat stress in Heidelberg, emphasizing practical applications.[2]

Technical Components

The HEAL app is a web-based routing application designed to facilitate heat-adapted mobility, calculating alternative routes that steer away from main roads with little shade and suggesting routes through parks and shaded areas instead.[2] The application was developed by modeling heat conditions across the city using statistical models based on real-time sensor data (in Heidelberg only) and sun exposure models.[2] The project team identified and modeled areas with increased heat stress and developed statistical prediction models based on sensor data and existing climate analysis maps.[1] The HEAL app calculates alternative routes that steer users away from main roads with little shade, directing them through parks and shaded areas instead, and provides detailed information about the type of path, surface and gradient along the chosen route.[1] The HEAL project and the routing app are largely based on open data from OpenStreetMap (OSM), a global community project that collaboratively maps the built and natural environment throughout the world.[2] To further refine the routing approach, the project team simulated 10,000 pedestrian trips in Heidelberg at different times of the day to analyse variations in route selection based on heat exposure, helping to optimize the algorithm.[3]

Implementation Details

The HEAL routing app was originally launched in Heidelberg during the summer of 2024.[2][3] The project brought together experts from the Heidelberg Institute for Geoinformation Technology (HeiGIT) as well as the Geoinformatics Department and the TdLab Geography (Transdisciplinarity Lab), both parts of the Institute of Geography at Heidelberg University.[1] A key component of HEAL is its transdisciplinary approach, which actively involves local stakeholders such as the Office for Environmental Protection, the Academy for Older People and senior and family community/network members.[3] To ensure the navigation App addresses real-life challenges and is easy to use, the project team organised five interactive city walks, surveys, interviews (mobile and static), participatory and mental mapping.[3] A heat workshop at the Bahnstadt district engaged pupils from a secondary school in discussions on heat-related health risks and potential solutions as part of the HEAL project.[3] The HEAL app for Heidelberg is available at heal.openrouteservice.org and the HEAL app for Worms is available at worms.heal.openrouteservice.org.[2] Initially developed for Heidelberg, the HEAL app is now also available in Worms.[2] The project has been designed from the beginning to make the approach and the routing application transferable to other cities in Germany, aiming to extend the benefits of this research beyond Heidelberg.[2][1]

Benefits and Impacts

The measures within this project ensure safe mobility and support daily activities during heat events, primarily focusing on pedestrians, but also accommodating cyclists.[3] The public has access to information on heat adaptation strategies in the form of brochures of Heidelberg and to the HEAL app to identify routes with lower heat stress in Heidelberg.[1] The HEAL project launched a routing app to help citizens avoid heat stress, supporting climate adaptation and public health during hot weather periods.[2]

Climate Adaptation Relevance

Surface temperatures in Heidelberg reached almost 53°C during July 2022 on the 'Promenade' in Heidelberg's 'Bahnstadt' district.[3] The HEAL project complements the broader Heat Action Plan by providing innovative solutions for heat-stress-resilient mobility in Heidelberg.[3] This navigation system specifically addresses heat protection challenges by enabling vulnerable populations to avoid extreme heat exposure during daily activities.[4]

Sources