The 2012 Rand McNally is now out and after a somewhat indepth comparison with the 2011 version I found the following modifications:
- Mississippi – MS 67 on the main state page is now shown as four-lane for its entire length (was a grey line in the 2011 edition)
- Missouri – I-64 is now shown as a freeway all the way to I-70<
- Missouri – US 36 around the town of Chillicothe is shown in its proper alignment (the 2011 edition showed the alignment further south and as a freeway)
I’m sure there are a few more miniscule changes here and there, but that is all I could find after going page by page. And on the main U.S. map page, they did recolor the topology and reduce the size of the shields. Other than that, that’s it.
And for the big kicker with the 2012 edition, none of the errors discussed in the 2011 Rand McNally thread on the AARoads Forum were corrected!! So according to the 2012 Rand, I-520 still does not connect with I-20 on the South Carolina side, I-376 is not fully shown along PA 60 (and I-279 still exists from downtown to I-79), I-170 still exists in the Baltimore inset, the ICC is still shown as under construction, etc., etc…
Now I know that some projects, like the ICC, just recently opened within the past few months, but this is suppose to be a 2012 atlas, it should be shown as complete on this edition, not still under construction. Someone in their research department (if one still exists) should have done their homework on projects like that and made sure that if it was fully known as to the approximate date of the road opening that it would be shown as complete on their newer edition. I used to do this as a living so I know what it takes to get the research done on things like this. And even though they probably have no road enthusiasts like us working for them, one would think that there would be a little common sense involved when comparing items under construction in last years edition versus the edition you are working on the get out and seeing what has changed.
It seems to me that the items they did fix are only cosmetic. And as far as each of the state’s population information, the only population they updated was for the state-wide population. Um, Rand McNally, wouldn’t you think that if the entire state had a population change that the largest city in that state would also have a population change??? Really…
And now they have QR codes on every page so you can scan with your iPhone (or whatever) for free travel information, videos and more. I’m sure that the powers-that-be put forth more effort into this aspect of the map than they did for the actual update of the contents within the pages. They made sure that is on each page but they couldn’t do something like update the little pictures they have inserted on each state as well? Come on now. Really??
In short, I am not pleased with this year’s atlas at all. It’s basically a carbon-copy of the 2011 edition with a few cosmetic changes, that’s all. In fact, I plan on doing something I’ve never done with a road atlas until now; I am going to be returning it to Wal-Mart for a refund on Monday. With so few updates and still the same errors as last year, it’s pointless to even make the purchase, unless of course you want to use the QR code functionality.
Since it seems that they have given up in producing a well rounded, up-to-date road atlas, perhaps it’s time for Rand McNally to go way of many states in only producing a new road atlas every two years. Or perhaps it’s time for them to give up all together and sell the company to its competitor (who seem to be gobbling up the rest of the mapping companies anyway).
You know, I use to enjoy the anticipation of buying a new Rand McNally (in late September/early October) and seeing all the changes and updates. Those days are forever gone. Now it comes out way too early (early April) and there are really no changes or updates to discover. Nope, only error after error after error. It’s a real shame. Thanks a lot, Rand, thanks a lot…
Also follow this topic in the 2012 Rand McNally thread over at the AARoads Forum!
Now I know that some projects, like the ICC, just recently opened within the past few months, but this is suppose to be a 2012 atlas, it should be shown as complete on this edition, not still under construction.
I would treat “2012” as a complete marketing term, and agree with RMN’s erring on the side of caution. What if the road were not completed by 2012 due to some unforeseen delay? the driving public should not be led to expect that the road exists and is navigable.
Well I was using that specific project just as an example, and probably should have chosen another. But they can make changes to an atlas weeks prior to going to print, because I have seen it done before. No one there just took the time to double-check, that’s all. So explain to me then how they neglected to show the finished I-520 loop around Augusta, GA or the fact that I-376 now runs along former I-279 and PA 60? Is that erring on the side of caution?? I totally agree with you that the 2012 term might is a marketing term, but in my honest opinion its a very bad one.
I agree, things which are actually finished and (literally!) set in stone should be correctly shown prior to publication … the fact that they didn’t show the finished 520 loop is pretty damn negligent on their part. since that was finished in 2011, it should be part of any map labeled 2011, and certainly any map labeled 2012.