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Estate agency, Foxtons, used the TravelTime API to build travel time search functionality showing website visitors where they could live based on commute time. The search tool also includes other forms of search, such as drawing a search area by hand, using geolocation or exploring the nearby area using radius.
How it works
A typical property search asks the visitor where they’d like to live, but this search keeps the end results open. As the search format is different, Foxtons guide users through the process with questions every step of the way. The first stage asks the user to enter their place of work so that the app can identify the best locations to live.
The next stage allows the user to enter their work location. We’ve added TravelTime HQ in the box to discover where would be best to start the search. It also has a place to enter the maximum possible commute time. This will change the size of the area the user wants to search in. They can also pick from public transport, cycling or driving:
At this point, the visitor can either add another commute for someone else living in the house or add up to 5 shapes. Adding an extra shape would mean the properties shown are within reach for 2+ commutes.
On the left-hand side, they show the isochrone shape. For public transport shapes, it’s common to see islands around the main shape. These are locations that are reachable by fast transport routes, however, it may not be possible to reach the places in between in the allocated time.
The isochrone map example above shows how the shape can change when adding another location to commute to.
“Commute times are an important decision making factor when selecting a home, so we’ve built a property search tool to make it easier for our users to find their perfect property. The TravelTime API is easy to use, reliable and fast - it’s an asset to our search functionality.”
Leo Lapworth, Web Operations Director, Foxtons