Case Study
GIS-powered, eco-friendly transport for conference delegates
A web/database geospatial carpooling platform designed for UN Climate Change (UNFCCC) to reduce organizational carbon footprint through efficient ride sharing. Built with modern GIS technologies including PostgreSQL/PostGIS, Leaflet mapping, and a React frontend.
UN Climate Change (UNFCCC) needed a sustainable solution to reduce their organizational carbon footprint. With staff commuting daily to the Bonn headquarters and frequent travel for climate negotiations, transportation emissions were a significant concern. The organization required a cost-effective, license-free solution that could integrate with their existing infrastructure while promoting sustainable commuting practices.
I designed and developed a geospatial web/database carpooling platform that leverages PostgreSQL with PostGIS for spatial queries, Leaflet for interactive mapping, and React for the user interface. The system implements dynamic ride matching algorithms that consider location proximity, schedule compatibility, and user preferences to create optimal carpooling opportunities.
6 months
Development Time
From concept to deployment
7+
Technologies Used
Modern web technologies
Bonn Area
Geographic Coverage
UNFCCC headquarters region
Open Source
License
Free for UN deployment
The system follows a modern web architecture with PostgreSQL as the primary database enhanced with PostGIS for geospatial capabilities. The frontend is built with React and Leaflet for interactive mapping, while the backend uses Node.js with Express for API endpoints. The application implements geospatial queries for efficient ride matching and uses OpenStreetMap for cost-free mapping services. Delivery also included documentation and maintainable code structure for long-term internal use.
Challenge
Implementing efficient geospatial queries for real-time ride matching
Solution
Leveraged PostgreSQL PostGIS to create spatial indexes and optimized queries that handle complex geographic calculations efficiently, reducing query time from seconds to milliseconds.
Challenge
Creating an intuitive interface for non-technical UN staff
Solution
Designed a clean and accessible interface with clear visual indicators and step-by-step guidance so users of all technical backgrounds could easily participate.
Challenge
Ensuring the solution was fully license-free for UN deployment
Solution
Selected open-source technologies only and avoided proprietary dependencies, including OpenStreetMap for mapping services.
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