Comments on: A subway layer for Google Transit but no updates

By: Maps Websites « NYMS

Maps Websites « NYMS — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 06:28:31 +0000

[...] Google Map Google Transit – in progress NYC Subway – very simple map of NYC with a overlay of the train [...]

By: Nathanael Nerode

Nathanael Nerode — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:11:09 +0000

Yep, I checked. The maps are generated from *the same* GTFS feed as the schedules. The route colors are in the GTFS feed, the shape of the route between stations is in an attachment to the GTFS feed, etc.

It’s all one format.

By: Nathanael Nerode

Nathanael Nerode — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:08:04 +0000

I believe the transit maps are supplied in a GTFS feed just like the transit schedules, if I’m not very mistaken. If I am it’s a feed with a different format name. (The submission of information by the agencies accounts for the idiosyncratic choices to color or not to color lines at different agencies, which rarely matches their published maps.)

Failure to update the map is entirely the MTA’s fault.

There is an up-to-two-week lag on Google taking updates, which can cause trouble if the MTA makes a last-minute decision, but that can’t possibly account for these errors, which have persisted for months.

By: Gary

Gary — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:42:55 +0000

Shocking that the MTA, what with their poor, out-dated website, would be behind in sending updated info to developers.

A neat feature of transit on Google Maps is showings upcoming trains when you click on a station (see Chicago), a feature mentioned by John above. Is it safe to say it’d be rather pointless to implement that for NYC?

By: Christopher

Christopher — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:41:46 +0000

I’ve always found Google to be very quick to make adjustments to their maps and correct for mistakes if you file a report. That requires a little bit of work on our part, but that’s in the spirit of the web, I think.

By: Benjamin Kabak

Benjamin Kabak — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:31:25 +0000

I’ve updated the post with a final paragraph to reflect this information. When I hear more from the MTA, I’ll update again.

By: Gil

Gil — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:19:54 +0000

Service changes are usually provided via a data feed. If Google has provided some sort of agreed upon format, then it’s simply upon the MTA to upload or provide the feed of changed service when required.

Unless Google didn’t provide a feed format standard (which would surprise me; I mean they provided with a feed format for the original service programming), there’s a good chance this is the MTA. Their service changes are usually pretty confusing for humans when printed on a sign; imagine the poor developer who has to parse those signs into service schedule changes that a computer can read.

By: Jehiah

Jehiah — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:12:24 +0000

The MTA isn’t providing any developers with timely updates (speaking from personal experience) and I believe John is right that Google is in the same boat.

By: Benjamin Kabak

Benjamin Kabak — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:56:12 +0000

It might fall upon both. If other licensees have updated information and if the MTA's own interactive map — powered by Bing and Visual Earth — is updated though, I have to believe that Google isn't doing something right.

By: SEAN

SEAN — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:52:45 +0000

Along those lines Garmin makes two GPS lines that allow for downloads of transit systems in the US & Canada. They are the 1300 & 1400 moddle lines. Each city is a seperate download & costs between $9.95 & $14.95. Once downloaded the functionality is the same as if it was in a car.