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Redefining what a map can be with new information and AI

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Re: Redefining what a map can be with new information and AI

#161

Post by cgriswald »

baryphonic wrote: post #121
oceliker wrote: post #46

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> If I could, I'd usually choose the lowest stress route! Apple Maps sometimes features alternate routes that are "simpler" or with "fewer turns", which I think is a very nice feature. I'd rather not cut through small side streets just to save 1-2 minutes.

I've started to noticed "no through traffic" signs around my town on the side streets Google Maps likes to send people down. I'm not sure if Google Maps has updated itself yet, but I find that rather interesting.

I’ve always wondered how enforceable those signs can really be. We’ve got some here that are so ambiguous I’m not even sure where they don’t want you to go.

Re: Redefining what a map can be with new information and AI

#162

Post by nightski »

jachee wrote: post #144
prewett wrote: post #109

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Wasn't intended to be angry. It's more frustration that I used to love Google Maps, but over the years it just gets less and less useful. I can't see street names like I used to, for instance. Now I have to have the overhead of choosing a route, when I used to know that the default is the fastest. Sure, I can turn it off in settings. But at what point does this get to be Windows Explorer, where the first thing I do o…

Hypothetically, given the choice between a 10 minute, higher-environmental-impact route and an 11-minute, lower-impact one: Are you really going to take the literally selfish , worse-for-the-planet route to save one minute? Wouldn't you like to make a small "sacrifice" (the choice is only given when the ETAs are similar) that might help slow the destruction of the only environment we have?

I don't think it's fair to call it "selfish". If I am someone who only drives a few thousand miles a year or even less (this is actually true for me), then wanting to save a minute or two isn't exactly selfish compared to a person who drives 10-20k miles a year. You can't really judge on the scale of one trip.

I'm fine with the feature though as long as it gives an option. In fact, I would enjoy having the new capability to optimize for fuel economy.

Re: Redefining what a map can be with new information and AI

#163

Post by cam_l »

oceliker wrote: post #46
murphyslab wrote: post #30

It's also the cheapest route to drive, as it's optimizing for lower fuel consumption: With insights from the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Lab, we’re building a new routing model that optimizes for lower fuel consumption based on factors like road incline and traffic congestion. Provided that the few extra minutes aren't critical to one's wallet, it's a cost savings. For me those extra minutes…

> If I could, I'd usually choose the lowest stress route! Apple Maps sometimes features alternate routes that are "simpler" or with "fewer turns", which I think is a very nice feature. I'd rather not cut through small side streets just to save 1-2 minutes.

Google maps often sends me on unsealed roads to save a few minutes, when driving in the country.

Don't get me wrong, I love this feature but I can understand others would not.

Re: Redefining what a map can be with new information and AI

#164

Post by asdfasgasdgasdg »

throwawayboise wrote: post #131

FTA but not the main point of this thread: we’re now able to bring Live View to some of the trickiest-to-navigate places indoors: airports, transit stations and malls. Seems to me that these are the easiest places to navigate indoors, because of the plentiful signage. Malls probably the hardest of the three, but still pretty easy IMO. I've never had any issue finding a gate or baggage claim at an airport, since there…

I think they're saying it's tricky for humans, not for AIs. And I for one do find new train stations in new cities confusing. :)

Re: Redefining what a map can be with new information and AI

#166

Post by richardw »

oceliker wrote: post #46
murphyslab wrote: post #30

It's also the cheapest route to drive, as it's optimizing for lower fuel consumption: With insights from the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Lab, we’re building a new routing model that optimizes for lower fuel consumption based on factors like road incline and traffic congestion. Provided that the few extra minutes aren't critical to one's wallet, it's a cost savings. For me those extra minutes…

> If I could, I'd usually choose the lowest stress route! Apple Maps sometimes features alternate routes that are "simpler" or with "fewer turns", which I think is a very nice feature. I'd rather not cut through small side streets just to save 1-2 minutes.

I’ve found Waze to do the opposite, which suits me. It’ll often show me new routes when the obvious ones are slow.

It seemed to be more aggressive than Google Maps. I thought that was interesting since they’re both Google. Different engine? Different default options? User intuition wrong?

Re: Redefining what a map can be with new information and AI

#167

Post by meibo »

throwawayboise wrote: post #131

FTA but not the main point of this thread: we’re now able to bring Live View to some of the trickiest-to-navigate places indoors: airports, transit stations and malls. Seems to me that these are the easiest places to navigate indoors, because of the plentiful signage. Malls probably the hardest of the three, but still pretty easy IMO. I've never had any issue finding a gate or baggage claim at an airport, since there…

A lot of bigger underground transit stations are literal mazes! Even in the somewhat smaller ones in e.g. Tokyo, you can easily get lost as a tourist or first-time visitor.

I'm sure this will be valuable to people especially with accessibility needs.

Re: Redefining what a map can be with new information and AI

#168

Post by davchana »

ape4 wrote: post #154
atty wrote: post #77

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I almost always take the simpler route, especially in areas I’m not familiar with. It’s a very nice quality of life feature that doesn’t get mentioned much.

I'd love a simpler route choice in Google Maps. It very telling that they don't provide it - do they use their own product.

Me too, I too would love an option saying Fewer Turns (same way as Fewer Transfers in public transport option). While we are there, it might be not possible, but would live an option with Route with Left Turns with Traffic Signals only. Many times a main road is through way, & a small crossing road has stop signs on both ends.

Re: Redefining what a map can be with new information and AI

#169

Post by p1necone »

seoaeu wrote: post #152
fireeyed wrote: post #140

What happens if these “lowest carbon footprint” routes overlaps with high crime “waze avoid areas” ? Which takes precedence, Virtue signaling or driver safety? https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10708-019-10117-y

Taking an alternate route to avoid CO2 emissions is basically the opposite of virtue signaling: it actually has a real world impact, and doesn't "signal" to anybody because no one else on the road can even tell whether you're taking the low-carbon route or not.

"Virtue signalling" is just conservative-speak for "anything I don't like" used to avoid actually having to engage with peoples concerns.

Don't bother talking to people like that under the assumption they're acting in good faith, just downvote and move along.

Re: Redefining what a map can be with new information and AI

#170

Post by dabreegster »

CameronNemo wrote: post #118
thescriptkiddie wrote: post #61

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A pet peeve of mine is that google maps doesn't show most transit routes on the map. There is a transit layer you can enable, but it only shows metro and light rail, not buses, brt, trams, ferries, etc.

My pet peeve is that there is no hybrid bike/transit routing option. If you choose transit, they assume you are pedestrian. Maybe the option is there and I just have not found it.

I believe Citymapper has the edge on multi-modal routing, at least if they support your city.
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