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In my experience, Google Maps is really terrible outside the United States. It doesn't seem to understand that in the UK, a narrow country lane might have a spe
by ForHackernews 10y ago
In my experience, Google Maps is really terrible outside the United States. It doesn't seem to understand that in the UK, a narrow country lane might have a speed limit of 60 mph, but nobody could ever drive that speed on it. It's constantly proposing insane detours off A roads onto back lanes obstructed by sheep and farm equipment.
Unlike Citymapper, Google Maps doesn't have a notion of multimodal transport: cycling to a train station, for example. Citymapper also doesn't "lose" your in-progress journey if you click the wrong thing or close the app.
- mmahemoff 10y agoGoogle Maps still doesn't have any concept of Boris Bikes either, London's bike rental scheme that's been active and popular for 5+ years. CityMapper has shown real-time bike and slot availability for years, as well as travel time estimates, to the point where I doubt any Londoner would bother using the official app anymore for bike rental (or any of the other third party apps). "Unlike Citymapper, Google Maps doesn't have a notion of multimodal transport: cycling to a train station, for example" This is really neat. Also includes Uber-ing to a train station.
- talldan 10y agoI don't think that's true. Google maps uses average speed on roads to estimate the fastest route, not the speed limit. If they used the speed limit the app would never take traffic and other conditions into account, which it clearly does. Having said that, I have experienced a crazy route now and then, but I think it's often caused by incorrect map updates.
- ForHackernews 10y agoMaybe they don't have enough Android-carrying traffic on rural lanes to calculate an average speed? All I know is I frequently get really goofy route suggestions from Google Maps that seem totally clueless about the difficulty of driving narrow UK backroads.
- acdha 10y ago> Google maps uses average speed on roads to estimate the fastest route, not the speed limit. Even in the U.S. Google Maps regularly recommends things like unprotected left turns against heavy traffic to get onto a road with a speed limit which is 5-10mph higher, even when that road is equally congested.
- iNerdier 10y agoAt least it's not as bad as Apple maps which don't even provide an option for cycling. Sigh.
- CalRobert 10y agoAh yes, Google maps which either thinks I want to take three transfers to avoid walking 1km at the beginning and end of my trip, OR cycle the whole way, but that having a bike which can cover that 1km is preposterous.