Apparently the Google walking directions in the example above are actually correct (see comment below)
The Mibazaar Blog found these walking directions today for a two mile walk from Detroit to Windsor. Google think that you should take the scenic route around Lake St. Clair for your hike. The detour only takes an extra day and 15 hours but the view is much better.
Via: Mibazaar
9 comments:
No, this is not a Google routing problem. This is the best walking route across this international border. It requires the ferry service in Algonac. This is also the best biking route.
The sad comment is that Detroit and Windsor do not have a good non-motorized connection despite not being all that far apart. Pedestrians can use the Transit Windsor bus. That bus however, does not transport assembled bicycles.
We are working to improve this situation, but there are not immediate solutions on the horizon.
I am not saying that it is wrong. I just had a good laugh on the suggestion that I walk 120 miles.
What I am expecting will happen here is Google Maps will direct you to a nearby Tunnel bus stop, ask you to hop on the bus and then continue walking on the other side.
(It's still in beta so its alright)
Okay. I understand. I didn't want people to think it was a Google problem when it's really a Detroit-Windsor transportation problem that has not been well addressed.
"reported the route as non-optimal to the team"
Pamela (Google Map Employee)
source:
http://tinyurl.com/5ofm26
Mapperz
http://mapperz.blogspot.com/
Well, I hadn't heard back from the team whether it truly is non-optimal; I simply reported it. Todd may be correct that it's the only way to walk. Good information, thanks.
Pamela, of course I don't know the routing criteria, but here's an example of the walking route being half a mile longer than driving, for no apparent reason. The walking route is actually more hilly. Also note that if you move the destination to just north of the intersection (instead of just east), the walking directions switch to the shorter route.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=14100499400129053788,35.028850,-80.811972%3B8065841124070771219,35.033572,-80.804696&saddr=Castlebay+Dr+%4035.028850,+-80.811972&daddr=Ardrey+Kell+Rd+%4035.033572,+-80.804696&mra=cc&dirflg=w&doflg=ptm&sll=35.033054,-80.801482&sspn=0.02256,0.037422&ie=UTF8&z=15
or
http://tinyurl.com/6aqcmu
It looks like the walking directions are trying to avoid Rea Rd, perhaps because it is two lanes of cars in each direction. However looking at the satellite image the road seems to have sidewalks / pavements.
Yeah, I thought it might be avoiding Rea. But like I said, if you move the destination onto Rea (either north or south of the intersection), it happily routes your walking to Rea.
This is totally not a big deal, but here's another example from the same area -- but not including the 4-lane divided.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=14436991480331216670,35.030527,-80.819993%3B12095022544134684013,35.024436,-80.815127&saddr=Ardrey+Kell+Rd+%4035.030527,+-80.819993&daddr=Ardrey+Woods+Dr+%4035.024436,+-80.815127&mra=cc&dirflg=w&doflg=ptm&sll=35.025674,-80.816503&sspn=0.022562,0.037422&ie=UTF8&z=15
or
http://tinyurl.com/59zbq5
It could be sidewalk related, but I'm sort-of doubting it.
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