2011 Rand McNally

[FLRoads]

Happened to check the local Wal-Mart after work today and found the 2011 Rand. Here are some of the changes:

Symbology changes:

• Old style exit numbers have been replaced with a green box with white lettering, just like AAA
• Incorporated and unincorporated places are now differentiated by different town circles. Incorporated places are still the black dot with unincorporated places now being a hollow circle
• Subtle difference in the shields in this edition. Three digit U.S. highway shields look wider now
• Symbology now shown for Historic U.S. 66, The Lincoln Highway, The Lewis & Clark Highway, and The Great Circle Route. The Great River Road symbol has also been improved
• Time zone boundary has been re-symbolized
• Scales for the maps have been changed
• POI's in city insets such as golf courses are now green instead of red

Some Road Changes (not all) (listed by state):

• AR: U.S. 67 is now shown as complete to AR 226 in Craighead County and U.C. up to AR 230, which is now shown with a shield on the map
• AR: The forever proposed extension of U.S. 270 is finally off the Hot Springs inset
• CA San Diego inset: CA 905 is now shown as complete along the eastern portion west of CA 125.
• CA San Diego inset: Also shown is the completion of CA 52 to CA 67 (though I am not sure if this will be done this year
• IN: U.S. 24 shown as freeway now, but not quite to I-469 near Fort Wayne
• PA: I-99 now shown as complete and also shown in the College State inset

Some other changes include what looks like an improved map base (though it is missing many newly completed alignments). Routes look more authentic to how it is aligned in the real world than they have for the past several years. My first comparison at Alabama showed a difference in the alignment of Alabama 24 from 2010 and 2011. The 2010 edition showed a portion of Alabama 24 as a straight line between Russellville and just west of Moulton where the 2011 edition now shows a more proper alignment (with bends in the alignment). Also, there is more road detail in adjoining states. I noticed that some of the city insets have been shuffled around, such as Flagstaff and Prescott. Their positions have been switched for the 2011 edition, probably for better geographical continuity.

Now onto some of the more notable errors and road completions/roads under construction NOT shown:

• MD: [ERROR] Rand has decided to resurrect I-170 in the Central Baltimore inset!!! (look towards the upper left edge)
• GA and SC: I-520 is still not shown as complete (in either state nor the Augusta inset)
• LA: No new U.C. for Future I-49 north of Shreveport
• IN: [ERROR] U.S. 27 has been once again extended north of Fort Wayne along I-69!!!
• MS: [ERROR] U.S. 98 still goes to Natchez according to Rand
• MO: I-64 is still not shown as being completed as a freeway to I-70
• NC: [ERROR (sort of)] I-295 is shown on the state map now. This is still a Future route and should not be shown
• PA: For all you I-279 fans, it is still intact and I-376 has not taken it over, nor PA 60, unlike the real world...
• WA: The proposed U.S. 395 freeway in Spokane is not shown at all...

My take on this years edition is that while there were some subtle improvements, overall, I am not impressed. The integrity of the atlas has gone by the wayside in my honest opinion. When you have many important road projects that have been completed (i.e. I-520, I-64 as a freeway) and no proper research and/or push to show these improvements is taken to show them on your product, it shows me that profit is the only thing in the masterminds at Rand, and nothing more. Having worked at a couple of mapping companies, it pains me to look at these atlases now days and be disappointed page after page at the lack on integrity on the cartographers part...

I give the mapping industry a few more years before there is only one or two left, and its very unfortunate I already know who those are more than likely going to be...

Anyway, if you see any other improvements, errors, blunders, etc., feel free to post them here!!    

[KEK Inc.]

Man, I wish that Rand McNally would use the actual shields (or a rendition) used on the various state routes.  Thomas Guide only did that with Arizona, Nevada and California.  I'm not sure if they still do that, since they've been bought out. 

[leifvanderwall]

IN: [ERROR] U.S. 27 has been once again extended north of Fort Wayne along I-69!!![/li][/list]
It's inexcusable. US 27 was decomissioned in Michigan and northern Indiana about a decade ago. It's funny Rand labels the old 66 route, but is not able to take the US 27 off of the I-69. The Rand McNally Atlas is still my bible, but I recommend the company hire people who know roads.


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[Hellfighter]

Wow, Rand McNally is getting worse each year. Looks like Google Maps is killing them...

[Scott5114]

Wow, Rand McNally is getting worse each year. Looks like Google Maps is killing them...

McNally is that bad?

It's kind of amazing that private map companies are getting so bad that even Wikipedia maps can show them up.

[Alex]

Wow, Rand McNally is getting worse each year. Looks like Google Maps is killing them...

McNally is that bad?

It's kind of amazing that private map companies are getting so bad that even Wikipedia maps can show them up.

Two factors, they trust the data too much and have people that are computer savy and not cartography-savy.

IOW, anymore map makers do not research enough to find out if the data is bad or incorrect or out of date...

[Bickendan]

Or aren't getting paid to field check.

"Like hell am I paying you to take a three-week vacation for a road trip! Now make that map or I fire you!"

[Alex]

Or aren't getting paid to field check.

"Like hell am I paying you to take a three-week vacation for a road trip! Now make that map or I fire you!"

With the internet, they have no need to send people out in the field. Some of the smaller map companies (the few that are still hanging on) may still do this, but the larger ones certainly do not. They rely upon aerials, GIS, DOT maps, and phone calls.

I worked for a company that did do field research, and as laborious as it was driving around noting every point of interest, looking for new sprawl, dealing with tailgaters because you are driving slower while speaking into a tape recorder, it was a great job! I coupled that with clinching every signed route, noting which routes were unsigned, and getting to add the data in myself once the trip was said and done.

Unfortunately, the need to do that is pretty much gone with things like GSV, Bing Maps birds eye view, etc. How a researcher cannot see new alignments on aerial photos in time to be published in this day and age is beyond me. Interstate 520 not shown as complete, let alone as u/c, on the Augusta, GA inset? That's poor research... 

[oscar]

Happened to check the local Wal-Mart after work today and found the 2011 Rand. Here are some of the changes:

Wow, the RMcNs are getting issued earlier and earlier every year (maybe RMcN really needs the money).  At this rate, could we see the 2016 editions come out in time for Christmas 2014?

[bulldog1979]

Wow, the RMcNs are getting issued earlier and earlier every year (maybe RMcN really needs the money).  At this rate, could we see the 2016 editions come out in time for Christmas 2014?

It's almost like car model years. Maybe if they get too far ahead, they'll issue a 2013 1/2 issue to correct the numbering?

[Chris]

What, does the cover looks like a cartoon now? No more amazing pics?

http://store.randmcnally.com/road-atlas/2011-rand-mcnally-large-scale-road-atlas.html

[vdeane]

Wow, Rand McNally is getting worse each year. Looks like Google Maps is killing them...

No, Google Maps is just showing them that it doesn't matter if the data is bad.

[FLRoads]

Unfortunately, the need to do that is pretty much gone with things like GSV, Bing Maps birds eye view, etc. How a researcher cannot see new alignments on aerial photos in time to be published in this day and age is beyond me. Interstate 520 not shown as complete, let alone as u/c, on the Augusta, GA inset? That's poor research... 

Or perhaps they have a couple or no researchers at all anymore!! It's almost like RMcN cut their research staff to maybe one or two at most. And we both know when you have limited research personnel what happens...

[golden eagle]

I bought a AAA atlas last year. I'm not sure if it's necessarily better than Rand, but it has better features. With AAA, I like the fact that actual city limits are shown on all city insets rather than just on the selected bigger cities and their suburbs. The one thing I like Rand over AAA is that Rand will update population figures on the back pages, while AAA sticks with the official 2000 census.

[rawmustard]

Some Road Changes (not all) (listed by state):

• IN: U.S. 24 shown as freeway now, but not quite to I-469 near Fort Wayne

This is correct, as that part of the new roadway isn't scheduled to be completed to I-469 until 2012, and as of yet, I don't believe the funding is in place for the interchange rebuild, whether that makes any difference on how Rand will mark the roadway if the interchange isn't freeway-to-freeway. I'll be interested to see if the part in Ohio is marked right, since the portion from the state line to Defiance is expressway, not freeway.

Wow, the RMcNs are getting issued earlier and earlier every year (maybe RMcN really needs the money).  At this rate, could we see the 2016 editions come out in time for Christmas 2014?

I swore I had the 2010 in either February or March of last year, so April seems just a tad late compared to last year's edition.

[Duke87]

MD: [ERROR] Rand has decided to resurrect I-170 in the Central Baltimore inset!!! (look towards the upper left edge)

Okay, now that's hilarious. I-170 has been dead for, what, 30 years?

[Truvelo]

Who actually buys maps these days? When I need to go somewhere and I don't already have a detailed map of the area I simply print out a screengrab of Google Maps.

[corco]

Who actually buys maps these days? When I need to go somewhere and I don't already have a detailed map of the area I simply print out a screengrab of Google Maps.

Yeah, I use DOT tourist maps which are generally free for navigation anyway. That said, I still like to keep a Rand McNally in my car in case A) I'm traveling through an area with no DOT map, B) I don't really know what route I'm taking until I get on the road and just shoot by whims (this generally happens at least once per roadtrip) and a Google Map would be impractical. Beyond that, I like the feeling of holding a Rand McNally in my hand more than a Google Map- a printout just feels so binding, like I can't change my mind at will when it's in my possession

[oscar]

Who actually buys maps these days? When I need to go somewhere and I don't already have a detailed map of the area I simply print out a screengrab of Google Maps.

I buy a lot of them -- up to four per year (even though not that much changes), which is why I had so many extras to give away at the Baltimore meet two weekends ago.  One for home (for route planning and other purposes), one for the car and one for the truck (for last-minute itinerary changes), and one for the office (geography matters in my line of work, and I use the map stand in my office to lure in coworkers much as others use candy dishes).  Of course, the discounted WalMart versions of the RMcN make this semi-affordable, with the directory of WalMarts as a bonus for when I need to resupply on the road.

[Kacie Jane]

I was most curious about two things, and my I-376 question was already answered.

Has anyone told them that I-80 ends at I-95, not at the GWB?  Every edition I can remember (I'm looking at '10 right now) has an I-80/I-95 shield between exits 70 and 72 on both the Newark and New York City "insets".

[Mergingtraffic]

In CT, US 7 Expressway extends up towards New Milford now, not US 202 in Brookfield.  This was completed back in November.  It's not even a broken line, which would mean it's under construction. 

[realjd]

So how about this then - if the Rand McNally is such a bad atlas, are there any good ones? I've always like the Rand McNally maps in the atlas. I find them much easier to read than the DOT maps, and having an actual book-form atlas is much more convenient on long road-trips than having to unfold a full size map or deal with internet printouts.

Of course, for around town, the local maps in the atlas are essentially worthless! And I find the ubiquitous Rand McNally folding local maps to be very cluttered and difficult to read.

[mightyace]

Who actually buys maps these days? When I need to go somewhere and I don't already have a detailed map of the area I simply print out a screengrab of Google Maps.

Yeah, I use DOT tourist maps which are generally free for navigation anyway. That said, I still like to keep a Rand McNally in my car in case A) I'm traveling through an area with no DOT map, B) I don't really know what route I'm taking until I get on the road and just shoot by whims (this generally happens at least once per roadtrip) and a Google Map would be impractical. Beyond that, I like the feeling of holding a Rand McNally in my hand more than a Google Map- a printout just feels so binding, like I can't change my mind at will when it's in my possession

I concur with corco and add the following:
1) It is still easier to view a paper map when trying to get the "feel" for an area.
2) Even though I have Google Maps on my Droid, it is useless if I don't have Verizon 3G or WiFi internet access or if my battery is dead.)

[hbelkins]

I was most curious about two things, and my I-376 question was already answered.

Has anyone told them that I-80 ends at I-95, not at the GWB?  Every edition I can remember (I'm looking at '10 right now) has an I-80/I-95 shield between exits 70 and 72 on both the Newark and New York City "insets".

Technically, doesn't 80 run concurrently with 95 to the bridge?

I'm pretty sure it's signed that way in the field as well, but the only time I ever traveled in that area was at night with a lot of traffic and I wasn't about to try to take photos. I guess I could check my videos, though. to see what they show. Or Street View...

[hbelkins]

Who actually buys maps these days? When I need to go somewhere and I don't already have a detailed map of the area I simply print out a screengrab of Google Maps.

I do. I'll usually grab at least two copies of each year's Rand McNally at Wally World, I'll keep one in the truck and take one inside for trip planning. Plus I am a bit of a map collector and they might have some value (either financial or historic) in 30 years or so.

I concur with those who have said it's easy to grab the atlas and plot a route while you're on the road and looking for a different route to get from where you are to your eventual destination. I've done this on a few occasions when I found I had more time to get to where I was going than I originally though. For instance, the atlas helped me plot a route using US 29 and US 501 to get over to I-81 and US 11 to head south to Roanoke when I was in Danville a few years ago, instead of the direct route over to US 220 and then head north.

I have a Palm with DeLorme Street Atlas, a Garmin GPS and an iPhone with Google Maps, but for a broader view of the territory, nothing beats an atlas or a map.