How long will it take me in bad traffic?
Online maps have given time estimates along with directions for a long while. Those times were always based on speed limits of the roadway and a whole lot of machine optimism.
Google Maps took a step toward a better time estimate last week when they added rush hour driving times to directions.
The Oakland to San Francisco example seems accurate: 19 minutes versus 1 hour with traffic.
The system doesn’t seem to be as in-tune with places outside the Bay Area. I have a friend who would love to have only five additional minutes to get between Sherwood and Portland. And it’s a long haul from Washington’s capital up to Seattle. Traffic adds more than a quarter hour.
My point isn’t to belittle the innovation. I think it’s a big step. Too long have we ignored the time portion of driving directions.
Really, how long a drive takes is usually more important than the number of miles. While Google’s latest addition is still too optimistic most places, it’s probably a sign of better data to come.
Via Krish