Marking Time With Digital Maps

[Ed Hansberry]

<a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/2986655.stm">http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/2986655.stm</a><br /><br />"Say that you have to be at the train station at 3 o'clock. The software draws a bubble around you showing everywhere that you could walk to and still get to your destination on time," said researcher Brendan Donovan. "The bubble is not a perfect circle as the software is taking account of actual street patterns and the physical features of the city." <br /><br />This would be great in an unfamiliar city. I often know where I am going but usually wind up getting there way to early because I don't know how long it will take to get from point A to point B. This seems to be a research project so don't look for this software at Handango anytime soon. The research is being done with Pocket PCs.

[Stephen Beesley]

Now this is an idea I like!

In fact when I followed the link to the BBC article I almost fell of my chair, not just because it sounded like such a good idea, but mainly because I found myself instantly recognising the example street map - Central Dublin!

I have been living in Dublin for about a year now (long long way from home....) and this software would be just about perfect for a city like Dublin where walking is just about the most efficient way of getting about.

Following the links further I see that the idea is from Media Labs Europe based right here in Dublin (in the old Guinness hops store indeed - I wonder if the smell has lingered?).

Goldtee

[Kevin Remhof]

This sounds like a great concept, but... (yes, there's always a but). For many of us in the U.S., we don't walk anywhere. I'm sure this could be applied to vehicles as well but that introduces a lot of variables: speed, traffic, stop lights, etc.

I have to say though, this is a great idea for research. Imagine if this technology could be applied elsewhere. Say, for example, amusement parks. A lot of places now have "fast pass" systems allow you to virtually queue for a ride. This could easily be extended to showing you (on a handy PDA of course) where you could go while waiting. It could even help you plan out your entire trip. Sounds neat to me.

&lt;sidenote>
I actually wish I had somewhere to walk at lunch. Our company has a great campus full of grass and all, but there is no where to go. I'd love to have somewhere to walk to for lunch. Plus, that could burn off a few calories of that lunch.
&lt;/sidenote>

[aroma]

This sounds like a great concept, but... (yes, there's always a but). For many of us in the U.S., we don't walk anywhere. I'm sure this could be applied to vehicles as well but that introduces a lot of variables: speed, traffic, stop lights, etc.


Similar technology exists in some mapping programs, such as MapPoint. It can create a "Drivetime Zone", in which it can show you a "bubble" of how far you can drive within a specified time limit, taking in to account road speeds and constructions. (Not traffic, however.) Would be nice to have similar features on a handheld mapping program. Anyone know of any?

[ctmagnus]

Sounds kinda like a cross between Metro (http://nanika.net/Metro), Pocket Streets and a few others.

[andrewlwood]

yup, you could specify your profile, like in autoroute - how fast you move, preferred routes (a-roads vs. pavements) etc...

Hey you yankees, some of us still walk places! three years in london, and I've not once wished that I had a car :) There's little point driving in London, especially now that red Ken has made it more expensive with the congestion charge (which is a good thing, whatever Madonna says). And you shouldn't be looking at your PDA screen while you're driving anyway :mrgreen: