AARoads Forum

National Boards => General Highway Talk => Topic started by: chays on June 23, 2016, 02:00:45 PM

Title: Google removes traffic and cars from satellite imagery
Post by: chays on June 23, 2016, 02:00:45 PM
Apologies if this has been posted, I searched and found nothing.

Note: You must have 3D turned ON to see this (click on the "3-lines" icon next to the search bar and turn on 3D)

I was scanning the Rio area because of the upcoming Olympics, and noticed something conspicuously absent from all the major roads and highways: cars and traffic imagery.  It appears as if Google has removed them to show just roadways.

See here: https://www.google.com/maps/@-22.8477479,-43.2423694,362m/data=!3m1!1e3

I check a few other areas of interest and the same thing.
Los Angeles: https://www.google.com/maps/@34.026665,-118.2341144,396m/data=!3m1!1e3
Orlando: https://www.google.com/maps/@28.5400372,-81.3818882,564m/data=!3m1!1e3

I have not really don't much searching around, but it is clear that not all areas are given this treatment.  Here is some imagery from Maui: https://www.google.com/maps/@20.8773425,-156.6774631,246m/data=!3m1!1e3

I don't recall reading about this, and am not sure how long it has been like this.  I can think of pros and cons for showing or not showing traffic and cars.
Title: Re: Google removes traffic and cars from satellite imagery
Post by: SidS1045 on June 23, 2016, 02:08:36 PM
Just checked all your links, and all the roads have vehicles showing.
Title: Re: Google removes traffic and cars from satellite imagery
Post by: chays on June 23, 2016, 02:16:05 PM
Quote from: SidS1045 on June 23, 2016, 02:08:36 PM
Just checked all your links, and all the roads have vehicles showing.
Weird, here's what I see for Rio:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2Fu8rResA.png&hash=cc1fc35082c74e37c139625b996298c0edd5f8a9)
Title: Re: Google removes traffic and cars from satellite imagery
Post by: kphoger on June 23, 2016, 02:20:20 PM
Quote from: chays on June 23, 2016, 02:00:45 PM
I was scanning the Rio area because of the upcoming Olympics, and noticed something conspicuously absent from all the major roads and highways: cars and traffic imagery.  It appears as if Google has removed them to show just roadways.

See here: https://www.google.com/maps/@-22.8477479,-43.2423694,362m/data=!3m1!1e3

This link directs me to this image:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1092.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fi410%2Fkphoger%2FRIO_zpsz1jzxtmz.png&hash=08a944aef24049286a626fa873728a9d9c0717c3)
Title: Re: Google removes traffic and cars from satellite imagery
Post by: chays on June 23, 2016, 02:32:17 PM
Quote from: kphoger on June 23, 2016, 02:20:20 PM
Quote from: chays on June 23, 2016, 02:00:45 PM
I was scanning the Rio area because of the upcoming Olympics, and noticed something conspicuously absent from all the major roads and highways: cars and traffic imagery.  It appears as if Google has removed them to show just roadways.

See here: https://www.google.com/maps/@-22.8477479,-43.2423694,362m/data=!3m1!1e3

This link directs me to this image:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1092.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fi410%2Fkphoger%2FRIO_zpsz1jzxtmz.png&hash=08a944aef24049286a626fa873728a9d9c0717c3)

I wonder if you open a new session and go there without using my link, if it would make a difference.

Here's what I see in my Los Angeles link:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FnCozffs.png&hash=a5ce334438ab987575f23bb85fb6b89dfbbbe72d)
Title: Re: Google removes traffic and cars from satellite imagery
Post by: kphoger on June 23, 2016, 02:54:59 PM
Nope.  I opened a new session and dragged my view to the exact location in Rio you linked to and snipped.  At all zoom levels, there is traffic showing on the roads.
Title: Re: Google removes traffic and cars from satellite imagery
Post by: Chris on June 23, 2016, 02:58:23 PM
That's the difference between 3D turned on or off.

You can change it at the menu on the left.
Title: Re: Google removes traffic and cars from satellite imagery
Post by: chays on June 23, 2016, 03:26:15 PM
Quote from: Chris on June 23, 2016, 02:58:23 PM
That's the difference between 3D turned on or off.

You can change it at the menu on the left.

Thank you!  Edited original post to clarify this.
Title: Re: Google removes traffic and cars from satellite imagery
Post by: vdeane on June 23, 2016, 07:12:37 PM
Found some vehicles in the 3D view: https://www.google.com/maps/@40.8454638,-73.9290413,274m/data=!3m1!1e3

Oddly enough, some appear to be half there, half not.
Title: Re: Google removes traffic and cars from satellite imagery
Post by: froggie on June 23, 2016, 08:22:52 PM
It's related to the process they're using to create the 3D renditions.