My recent post on variable travel (How To Get from A to B) generated a number of useful comments. Firstly, Eli pointed out an option on Google Maps which allows you to require only 'local streets'. I looked around the site and couldn't readily see this option. However, I did see a couple of new things on the Google site. The screen cap below shows the inclusion of bus information (not new) - good, and also that perennial mapping issues: fantasy ambiguity (not good). Did I mean A or A? Both, I mean A, no - A! [Update - see comment; there is an error in this post, but the problem is real and I provide a correct example in my comment reply to Sean].
Google maps also has a cool video tutorial.
Eli also points to HopStop which provides transit travel plans in certain cities using buses and metro. This site has some nice features, like the 360 degree photo of locations.
Emily points to Chicago's CTA site which can generate walk/train/bus combinations. This looks pretty useful, but suffers from some production issues (my first query failed - try this phone number, my second couldn't recognize my selection from a drop down menu on the site...).
Phil Rodgers points to a couple of UK sites. London Transports Journey Planner is similar to the Chicago site, and integrates information, and altered travel times, for planned road works.
Phil also points to the Cambridge Cycling Campaign, which has lots of great features (create either the fastest, shortest or quietest route).
Finally, Jouni K. Seppänen from Finland points to YTV Journey Planner. Again, plans involving walking and public transport are created.
The actual GMaps option is "Avoid Highways." It's a little checkbox right above the driving directions. See screenshot here: http://elansey.googlepages.com/avoidhighways.JPG
Posted by: Eli | August 09, 2007 at 11:15 AM
the grand daddy of mass transit planning is www.hopstop.com
Posted by: Joe Lemee | August 09, 2007 at 12:27 PM
Regarding those "perennial mapping issues: fantasy ambiguity": I don't know about Seattle, but here in Washington, DC this issue is not fantastical at all. 18th St NW & S St NW is very, very different than 18th St SE & S St SE.
Posted by: Sean Wallace | August 22, 2007 at 10:44 AM
Sean - you are dead right; I made an error there. However, I have seen this in other cases and I'll be sure to post it next time I encounter this problem. Actually, I have one already: search for '40th street seattle' in Google maps and you get (among others) NE 40th St, Seattle, King, WA and NE 40th St, Seattle, King, WA 98105 which are identical (and result in the same place being marked on the map).
Posted by: Matthew Hurst | August 22, 2007 at 10:49 AM