Another FAIL by GPS

[ZLoth]

There is nothing wrong with GPS. Provided you have a good signal, the GPS can provide you with an damn accurate location of where you are. The problem comes when the people purchase a new GPS, but never take the time to update the firmware or the maps data. Why, it might just mean they have to perform the update overnight! Perhaps it's a good thing that people now rely on their smartphone and get the latest data from Google Maps or MapQuest (but not Apple Maps ) where the data is pretty up to date.

Look, what frustrates me is when people gets the latest gizmos two days before a trip, then try to use them without ever checking the manual. Then, they wonder WTF is wrong with the device. (And, I won't get into how annoyed I get with people who purchase a product, use it for the vacation, then return it for a refund after the trip is over).

Here is an old thread on someone who was lead astray by the GPS in Death Valley.

[mhh]

In the fall of 2012 the interchange at the end of I-94/I-69 in Port Huron, Michigan was reconfigured. Previously, traffic in the left lane of the two-lane freeway stayed in the U.S.; traffic in the right lane followed the Blue Water Bridge into Canada. Now, the freeway has been widened to four lanes; the two right lanes stay in the U.S. and the two left lanes go to Canada. Despite many signs with legends like "Follow signs, ignore GPS" many drivers still blindly obey their un-updated GPS units and inadvertendly end up in Canada. They then have to clear Canadian customs before returning and clearing American customs. If they have contraband they then get into big trouble.

http://www.michigan.gov/mdot/0,4616,7-151-63670_63671-305368--,00.html

http://michiganmedicalmarijuana.org/topic/42056-drug-dogs-at-blue-water-bridge-port-huron/

[wxfree]

The problem with GPS is faith.  Generally, if you're confused you can just go off course and the thing will correct automatically and guide you back.  My problem with it isn't that it's unreliable; it's that people want to use it as a replacement for thinking.  Maybe it's just because I'm getting old, but I think using technology to replace reasonable mental functions is an abuse of the mind.  If you can't remember or print out directions and follow them, I question whether you're qualified to drive a car.

I do see the folly in my thoughts.  I sit here with no knowledge of growing food and rely on others to do that for me, while I despair the loss of knowledge and its replacement through technology.  Maybe us old people should learn to grow food and treat our own injuries before we judge those who outsource knowledge.  Maybe outsourcing to technology such plebeian functions as navigation, and some day driving, can free our minds to focus on more important things and accomplish something more grand than knowing how to get from Cleveland to Atlanta.

[roadfro]

With that PA one: Yeah it may have been night when the guy turned down the road, but even so the characteristics of the roadway (gravel, narrow and shrubbery closeby) should be some kind of clue that it doesn't seem right.

GPS is a great tool, but it cannot be followed blindly. The driver has got to take some responsibility for knowing where s/he is going...

[ZLoth]

I am reminded of my recent trip that I took along the coast. One leg had me traveling from Port Angeles, WA to Westport, WA. The recommended route had me traveling east/south on US-101, then WA-108, WA-8, and US-12 to Westport. The preferred route which I ended up taking was west/south on the US-101.

The difference was 18 minutes and 21 miles.

[jeffandnicole]

Electronic mapping/directions have always been a bit suspect.  I've seen directions where one can enter the NJ Turnpike from any overpass and where one can enter the NJ Turnpike thru the back of a service area.  When one enters Delaware via the Del. Mem. Bridge headed towards I-95 South, directions in the past used to say use Exit 5...which is actually the exit for Rt. 141 at the same location.  I could tell when people were following those directions, as they would get into the exit lane then quickly swerve out of it at the last second realizing the error (and I'm sure those people blamed Delaware for the error, not the online mapping tool).

A big error I discovered recently when getting directions for someone...After one crosses the GWB into NJ headed for the NJ Turnpike, the directions say to keep left at the toll plaza to use the Express EZ Pass Lanes.  That's fine...if you have EZ Pass. If you are intending on using cash and go thru that lane, the toll taker as you exit the Turnpike isn't going to care what those directions say...you're going to be paying the maximum toll.

When one is on 295 South in NJ getting near Delaware, and they switch from the right to the left lane for no reason whatsoever, guaranteed they will have a GPS on their windshield, and guaranteed that GPS just said "In 2 miles, keep left for...", even though both lanes take you directly to the bridge.

I will look up and print out directions before I leave the house, but I also use GSV to see the critical points along the route to verify what the directions are saying.  The online directions can still be a bit confusing with some odd directions, and it's nice to see what is actually out there to see what the directions are actually trying to convey.  And even then, I'll generally re-write the directions in the manner I like seeing them.  It's good to know I need a specific exit to get from one road to another. I don't care if I need to follow a ramp for 0.6 miles...I can figure that out myself.

[PHLBOS]

Here's another GPS fail, this time in PA:
http://www.weather.com/video/man-drives-into-river-blames-gps-49049

And yet, these people walk (or drive in this case) among us.

[ZLoth]

Apparently, the US Government has a page to submit fixes. Of course, it can take a while. It took at least two updates between the Lincoln, CA bypass opening and the change to be reflected in Garmin's maps. 

[kkt]

My problem with it isn't that it's unreliable; it's that people want to use it as a replacement for thinking.

"Well if I'd wanted to think, I'd-a stuck with a paper map and reading street signs!"

[doorknob60]

Here's another GPS fail, this time in PA:
http://www.weather.com/video/man-drives-into-river-blames-gps-49049

People are so stupid... This immediately reminded me of this clip from The Office: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIakZtDmMgo

[PHLBOS]

My problem with it isn't that it's unreliable; it's that people want to use it as a replacement for thinking.

"Well if I'd wanted to think, I'd-a stuck with a paper map and reading street signs!"

Amen on all counts.

[Legodinodoctor]

People are so stupid... This immediately reminded me of this clip from The Office: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIakZtDmMgo

Lol that's so funny   

[mapman1071]

NY should ban the use of GPS for Trucks and Busesonly due to number of trucks ripped open on Parkways. (Trucks are banned on State Owned/Maintained Parkways with some exceptions (Grand Central Pky Exit 5 to Triboro Bridge, Pky's South of Sunrise Highway In Nassau and Suffolk Counties), And Parkways owned and Maintained By NYC DOT (Ocean Parkway, Eastern Parkway Brooklyn; Pelham Parkway Bronx; Utopia Parkway, Midland Parkway Queens).     

[agentsteel53]

I think the worst GPS fail I've ever been presented with was Google Maps telling me to make a U-turn on the Bay Bridge.

[roadman]

NY should ban the use of GPS for Trucks and Busesonly due to number of trucks ripped open on Parkways. (Trucks are banned on State Owned/Maintained Parkways with some exceptions (Grand Central Pky Exit 5 to Triboro Bridge, Pky's South of Sunrise Highway In Nassau and Suffolk Counties), And Parkways owned and Maintained By NYC DOT (Ocean Parkway, Eastern Parkway Brooklyn; Pelham Parkway Bronx; Utopia Parkway, Midland Parkway Queens).     

IMHO, a better solution would be for the government to require that ALL GPS units provide information about clearances and other restrictions, not just the super expensive "commercial driver" ones.  It's not like New York City is the only major metro area with these issues - as an example, consider Storrow Drive in Boston.

[hbelkins]

NY should ban the use of GPS for Trucks and Busesonly due to number of trucks ripped open on Parkways. (Trucks are banned on State Owned/Maintained Parkways with some exceptions (Grand Central Pky Exit 5 to Triboro Bridge, Pky's South of Sunrise Highway In Nassau and Suffolk Counties), And Parkways owned and Maintained By NYC DOT (Ocean Parkway, Eastern Parkway Brooklyn; Pelham Parkway Bronx; Utopia Parkway, Midland Parkway Queens).     

IMHO, a better solution would be for the government to require that ALL GPS units provide information about clearances and other restrictions, not just the super expensive "commercial driver" ones.  It's not like New York City is the only major metro area with these issues - as an example, consider Storrow Drive in Boston.

How about the government just post signs on the roads warning of low clearances and weight restrictions, and teach drivers to obey the signs as part of their training to get licenses?

Oh wait, they already do.

Government legislating to cater to the limitations of the lowest common denominator is not the way to go.

[Brandon]

HB, as was once said, "you can't fix stupid".  These drivers are morons who either forget their training, are ignorant of their surroundings (or their truck), or just don't give a shit.  Then they hit a bridge.

And that doesn't even include the ones who bought and paid for their CDLs (like those who contributed to former S.O.S., later Governor George Ryan in Illinois).  Only god knows how many of those are still on the road.

[Kacie Jane]

I am reminded of my recent trip that I took along the coast. One leg had me traveling from Port Angeles, WA to Westport, WA. The recommended route had me traveling east/south on US-101, then WA-108, WA-8, and US-12 to Westport. The preferred route which I ended up taking was west/south on the US-101.

The difference was 18 minutes and 21 miles.

Either I'm misreading your post, or this isn't a GPS fail.  Going down the east side of the peninsula is 21 miles shorter, so if that's the route the GPS recommended, it was doing its job just fine.  But the west side would certainly be more scenic, so if you preferred that way, I certainly wouldn't blame you.

[spooky]

NY should ban the use of GPS for Trucks and Busesonly due to number of trucks ripped open on Parkways. (Trucks are banned on State Owned/Maintained Parkways with some exceptions (Grand Central Pky Exit 5 to Triboro Bridge, Pky's South of Sunrise Highway In Nassau and Suffolk Counties), And Parkways owned and Maintained By NYC DOT (Ocean Parkway, Eastern Parkway Brooklyn; Pelham Parkway Bronx; Utopia Parkway, Midland Parkway Queens).     

IMHO, a better solution would be for the government to require that ALL GPS units provide information about clearances and other restrictions, not just the super expensive "commercial driver" ones.  It's not like New York City is the only major metro area with these issues - as an example, consider Storrow Drive in Boston.

The state legislature would also have to require the use of commercial driver GPS in rental moving trucks, since issues most commonly occur concurrent with the fall move-in for Boston's many colleges and universities.

How about the government just post signs on the roads warning of low clearances and weight restrictions, and teach drivers to obey the signs as part of their training to get licenses?

Oh wait, they already do.

Government legislating to cater to the limitations of the lowest common denominator is not the way to go.

Agreed. The aforementioned Storrow Drive has the chain-mounted clearance signs at most (if not all) entrances, that still doesn't stop the stupid.

[PHLBOS]

Devil's Advocate Mode ON

How many of these overheight-vehicle restricted roads/routes have a signed/marked truck routes in the immediate vicinities?

One has to wonder if alternative truck routes were indeed signed; would the bridge/overpass incursions still take occur?

Devil's Advocate Mode OFF

[mrsman]

Devil's Advocate Mode ON

How many of these overheight-vehicle restricted roads/routes have a signed/marked truck routes in the immediate vicinities?

One has to wonder if alternative truck routes were indeed signed; would the bridge/overpass incursions still take occur?

Devil's Advocate Mode OFF

I tend to agree.  While there may still be some accidents by those not paying attention, the number of the incidents would be significantly lower.

And it isn't enough to simply sign truck routes the way that I typically see with those small white signs with arrows that guide trucks simply to turn on some street without necessarily leading them to their destination. 

One example: CA-110 Arroyo Parkway does not allow trucks over 3 tons.  When you're heading north on the 110 Harbor Freeway you can clearly see signs saying NO TRUCKS on the BGSs leading to the Arroyo Seco and TRUCK ROUTE on the signs leading to the Hollywood or Santa Ana Freeways.  The problem is, there is no guidance for trucks to tell them how to specifically get to Pasadena.  Now, it's debatable what the best way between Downtown LA and Pasadena would be if the Arroyo Seco were unavailable, and I'm sure that the NIMBYs would be very upset if their street were signed as a specific truck route that all of the trucks would follow.

[Bobby5280]

Some truck drivers can't be bothered with reading signs and are determined to find out the hard way if their truck & trailer can fit under something. I've seen plenty of commercial signs (pole & building mounted) and awnings either damaged or destroyed by trucks simply because some driver insisted on driving his truck under it or side swiping it.

Back on the GPS Fail topic, the fault with every GPS failure is ultimately rooted in human error. GPS technology works very well and is continually becoming more accurate.

The biggest problem with GPS is human laziness. Too many people don't want to bother studying the route of a road trip they're about to take before taking it. They just want to tap the destination into their smart phones and hit the road, blindly following their phone's instructions. If those drivers had at least some idea of their general route they would know if their navigation software ran into a bug and was trying to take them on a wild goose chase.

I don't need GPS controlled navigation software to give me directions. However, some features can be very useful -like route adjustments based on traffic flow. Unfortunately the navigation software is often not clear on why a detour is being suggested.

Sunday evening my girlfriend and I were driving North out of Houston on I-45. She had Google Maps navigation app running. Near The Woodlands the app suggested we leave I-45 and get on some other road. I muttered, "we're not getting off I-45 until the US-287 split in Ennis." We ignored the re-route suggestion. A pretty bad multiple vehicle accident was a couple miles ahead. Thankfully the traffic on I-45 Northbound wasn't too heavy and left 2 or 3 lanes were still open. It was only when we passed the accident scene that I understood why the navigation was doing what it did. The re-route suggestion would have made more sense if some description of the problem ahead was provided. I'm not going to just blindly follow a re-route direction without any reason why.

[jeffandnicole]

So, I'm watching this scenario play out, knowing exactly what all these people are doing.  Use the link below for a general map of the area:

https://goo.gl/maps/ojJm4RritW42

There's an accident on 76 East at the 295 North Ramp.  The ramp's temporarily shut down, and traffic on 76 East, especially the right two lanes, are at a standstill.  This prohibits traffic on 130 South to access 76 East, as well as traffic coming off of Market Street onto that ramp, due to the traffic jam.

On 130 South, some people think they can outsmart everyone else.  They continue on 130 South about a 1/4 mile and either:
  A) Turn Left onto Market Street
  B) Continue past Market Street just a little bit to a rarely used U-turn lane to 130 North to make a right onto Market Street.  Several cars are in line doing this.
  C) Continue down to the next light, using a jughandle that never backs up on a Saturday afternoon to return to 130 North to make a right onto Market Street.  The jughandle is backed up due to all the motorists doing this.

In all 3 cases, their GPS is probably telling them: "Hey, you lost SOB...recalculating!  Here you go".  And what are those GPSs doing?  Simply leading them back into the traffic jam that they are trying to avoid! 

Is it a GPS fail?  Technically, not really.  But without additional information available to the user or the GPS, it just leads them back to the point that's causing the issue in the first place!

[Sykotyk]

The problem was that years ago, people had to follow signs to know where to go. So, you go to see all those signs warning you of low bridges, weight limits, detours, etc.

Now, that drivers just follow what the GPS tells them, there's no need to follow the signs when the GPS will tell you when to turn. So, they just zone out and stop following the signs. It's a symptom of helping drivers spend less time on signs and them not spending as much time looking at signs.

[jwolfer]

Some truck drivers can't be bothered with reading signs and are determined to find out the hard way if their truck & trailer can fit under something. I've seen plenty of commercial signs (pole & building mounted) and awnings either damaged or destroyed by trucks simply because some driver insisted on driving his truck under it or side swiping it.

Back on the GPS Fail topic, the fault with every GPS failure is ultimately rooted in human error. GPS technology works very well and is continually becoming more accurate.

The biggest problem with GPS is human laziness. Too many people don't want to bother studying the route of a road trip they're about to take before taking it. They just want to tap the destination into their smart phones and hit the road, blindly following their phone's instructions. If those drivers had at least some idea of their general route they would know if their navigation software ran into a bug and was trying to take them on a wild goose chase.

I don't need GPS controlled navigation software to give me directions. However, some features can be very useful -like route adjustments based on traffic flow. Unfortunately the navigation software is often not clear on why a detour is being suggested.

Sunday evening my girlfriend and I were driving North out of Houston on I-45. She had Google Maps navigation app running. Near The Woodlands the app suggested we leave I-45 and get on some other road. I muttered, "we're not getting off I-45 until the US-287 split in Ennis." We ignored the re-route suggestion. A pretty bad multiple vehicle accident was a couple miles ahead. Thankfully the traffic on I-45 Northbound wasn't too heavy and left 2 or 3 lanes were still open. It was only when we passed the accident scene that I understood why the navigation was doing what it did. The re-route suggestion would have made more sense if some description of the problem ahead was provided. I'm not going to just blindly follow a re-route direction without any reason why.

The software only knows the slowdown is there.. Not the reason.. Waze gets updates from drivers.. I notice Google mapping will say "as reported by Waze app"