Mapping Software

[Just thinking]

Does any know whether or not certain mapping software on the Internet deliberately directs drivers to use certain roads ... e.g.; toll roads?

I recently did a Map Quest and Yahoo! driving direction search from my home to an address in southern New Jersey. Basically, it's a straight drive along one inter-county road. Both of the above mentioned mapping outfits diverted me off the road and onto the NJ Turnpike in what were obviously much longer routes -- although both were not exactly the same. (Imagine going along three sides of a rectangle instead of just the one longer side.)

Anyone else ever notice such?

 

[MetalPig]

Are the longer routes faster?

 

[Just thinking]

Are the longer routes faster?

Actually, I thought of that, as many times there is a choice given as to fastest, shortest, etc. Not in this case -- no choices given, and there is no way one can make that claim in this case if you saw the routes given -- you go basically 10 miles extra to go a mere 10 or so on the Turnpike. It's just too much out of the way.

 

[Lothian]

Actually, I thought of that, as many times there is a choice given as to fastest, shortest, etc. Not in this case -- no choices given, and there is no way one can make that claim in this case if you saw the routes given -- you go basically 10 miles extra to go a mere 10 or so on the Turnpike. It's just too much out of the way.

The software calculates the best rote according to preferences. It doesn’t know roads so it guesses (or you input) an average speed for road types. If the straight road is a minor road it might guess 25mph – 30 mph. A motorway at 60-70mph could be twice as long but quicker according to the averages.

 

[MortFurd]

Or the software is effin stupid.

(Long since fixed, I know. But still funny.)

 

[Chris Haynes]

Last time I used MapQuest it had an option to avoid freeways. Did you try that?

 

[Just thinking]

Last time I used MapQuest it had an option to avoid freeways. Did you try that?

Sorry -- I didn't see that option come up.

 

[Chris Haynes]

It is on the right hand side of the first set of results from www.mapquest.com... I did a quicky check of the local university to the airport... I cut and pasted the options:
Advanced Options

Shortest Time

Shortest Distance

Avoid Highways
Avoid Tolls
Avoid Seasonally-Closed Roads
Reverse Route