Google has just released a 'beta' walking directions feature to Google Maps. The system calculates the shortest walking distance as long as the map is aware of side routes, parks, pavements etc.Walking routes are also time dependent with parks opening and closing at dusk and dawn, something that is not included yet. In London at least the system tends to avoid parks and default walking along the main roads - as the map to right illustrates, Regents Park has been ignored which is by far the quickest route.
However, its in beta and a welcome addition, especially when you combine it with GPS enabled devices such as the new iPhone.
For full details see the post at google-latlong.blogspot.com
Great new feature. I think Google have been able to do this because of work by Teleatlas on pedestrian maps.
ReplyDeleteIt looks the the interface to switch to walking disappears for routes over 10km/6.2mi. What about cyclists? They'd benefit from planning out longer trips using the pedestrian routing. And it's not like you can't get it to route insanely long walks.
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