Jamie2k9 wrote: » How accurate are the journey times stated for routes? Took a route recently around 13.6 km and was given a time of 14 minutes to complete and it was only possible by speeding for over 10.2 km. One thing to consider is the route is marked as motorway even though it does not have M in front of it on the map so wondering if it could impact on the time given and would 120 km/h be used instead of 100 km/h which the route is.
Thoie wrote: » I've always found it to be pretty accurate. There are some dual carriageways that are 120kph zones, while there are some motorways with lower speeds. For example, the dual carriageway from Cork to Carrigtwohill is 120kph from roughly Dunkettle to Carrigtwohill. The M50 is only 100kph from Sandyford to... somewhere further north (if it switches back at all).
Alun wrote: » 13.6km in 14 mins is an average of roughly only 60km/h over the whole route. Care to share the route in question?
markpb wrote: » Between the data being sent by Android devices and by Waze users, I'd expect Google Maps to be reasonably accurate, notwithstanding what Spook said.
Google Maps' estimated journey times have always been a vital part of what makes the service such a useful travel tool, helping us decide when to leave and allowing us to notify friends of our ETA. Now one ex-employee has revealed how the company decides how long it'll take you to get from A to B. Posting on Quora, former Google engineer Richard Russell said a number of factors are in play, such as historical speed averages on roads, traffic data, and information it has gleaned from previous journeys. "Like in similar products, Google maps ETAs are based on a variety of things, depending on the data available in a particular area," he wrote.Historical and real time data "These things range from official speed limits and recommended speeds, likely speeds derived from road types, historical average speed data over certain time periods (sometimes just averages, sometimes at particular times of day), actual travel times from previous users, and real-time traffic information. "They mix data from whichever sources they have, and come up with the best prediction they can make. The companies who have access to the best usage data (ie those who are best able to compare their predictions against reality, which means those who have the most usage) are likely to end up with the best predictions in the medium to long term."
Qualitymark wrote: » Is there any way of seeing distance easily on the new Google Maps? There used to be a 'legend' at the bottom giving a guide in kilometres or miles; without this, I can't see how to calculate how far places are from each other unless I use a workaround like setting a route - but if I change how close-in or far-out the view is, I have to do this all over again.
ThisRegard wrote: » Right click on a point and select Measure Distance from the context menu. Then click on where you want to measure the distance to. It will give you a straight line initially but you can then drag it around to manipulate it to follow certain roads etc.
Qualitymark wrote: » I take it back! The legend is still there, just concealed almost invisibly on bottom right!