Should I create a Google My Maps of points of interest and/or users' locations?

[hotdogPi]

I just saw this in another forum I'm on, so I was thinking of creating a Google My Maps, editable by anyone, where people could put the following things:

1. User locations. They can be off by a few miles, or with a polygon instead of a point, for those wary of sharing their exact location. This would allow people who are close to meet up on road trips or even without leaving the area like I've done with SectorZ. It would also show which forum regions are overrepresented and underrepresented.
2. Road projects that are currently ongoing.
3. Future roadmeets.

Labels can have different icons, so they can be distinguished.

I can create a lot of it now, but I need to know if this is something we want first.

[Rothman]

I'm neutral.  Definitely not against it and would look at it out of curiosity, but wouldn't be a huge participant in editing it, I don't think.

One issue with points of interest maps is they don't have a means of real tiers between major and minor attractions, which would be tricky anyway, since that's all subjective.  Still, it's a reason why the Roadtrippers app and site haven't caught on.

[jlam]

I'm with Rothman on this one. I'm not against it, but I don't have much to contribute. I could see it being a helpful resource for some.

[vdeane]

I'm neutral.  Definitely not against it and would look at it out of curiosity, but wouldn't be a huge participant in editing it, I don't think.

One issue with points of interest maps is they don't have a means of real tiers between major and minor attractions, which would be tricky anyway, since that's all subjective.  Still, it's a reason why the Roadtrippers app and site haven't caught on.

I just looked at that site earlier today, and it appears that the map does differentiate.  Major sites have large icons and appear even when zoomed out.  Minor ones are no bigger than business listings on Google Maps and require one to be zoomed in a fair amount to appear.

[davewiecking]

I think the data in #2 would be interesting, as long as it doesn't include every pedestrian crossing or roundabout installation project. But i'd be worried it might morph into a map of every project in the past 5 years, because nobody removes projects when they're wrapped up.

[vdeane]

Honestly, recently completed projects and past roadmeets would be interesting layers too.  It would just be important to ensure that things moved from the current/future layer to past layer as needed.

[Scott5114]

A user here once created an account of user locations and was criticized for invasion of privacy. The thread ended up being removed. So I would suggest if you were to do that, to only do it with users that opted in to being displayed on the map.

[Roadgeekteen]

A user here once created an account of user locations and was criticized for invasion of privacy.

This sounds like something I would do, but it wasn't me.

Anyway, I think that this is a cool idea. It could be useful. Not sure how much I have to contribute, but I can contribute what I can.

[hotdogPi]

I've created the official link to get started: my location, Roadgeekteen's location, four projects (showing different icons for roads and bridges), a future meet, and a past meet.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1JbMikdbP10q9FxutbgATlmcGqgG0_VM&ll=31.935952098474072%2C-104.5675398556863&z=4

[Roadgeekteen]

I've created the official link to get started: my location, Roadgeekteen's location, four projects (showing different icons for roads and bridges), a future meet, and a past meet.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1JbMikdbP10q9FxutbgATlmcGqgG0_VM&ll=31.935952098474072%2C-104.5675398556863&z=4

Keep in mind that I spend about half the year at college in Amherst, MA, as well.

[Rothman]

I've created the official link to get started: my location, Roadgeekteen's location, four projects (showing different icons for roads and bridges), a future meet, and a past meet.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1JbMikdbP10q9FxutbgATlmcGqgG0_VM&ll=31.935952098474072%2C-104.5675398556863&z=4

A good start.

[Hunty2022]

I'm gonna sleep, and put a marker for my general location, and a US 29/33 road project in the morning (if I'm allowed to add it)

[LilianaUwU]

I'm not doxxing myself, especially when a certain hateful website has attempted to do it for a while.

[JoePCool14]

I think this is a neat idea. I think it's fine if we only include people who want to be included, and that we don't use exact locations.

[kirbykart]

You can add in my location. Put the marker over "New Albion". It is south of Buffalo. It's also pretty small so you might need to zoom in a lot.