Moving truck getting on Merritt SouthSubmitted by mynameisnotshamus t3_zk3nkc in Connecticut
netscorer1 t1_izy5ucq wrote
Reply to comment by CT_Patriot in Moving truck getting on Merritt South by mynameisnotshamus
I put a blame on GPS. In this day and age to not have a truck option on Google Maps or Apple Maps is just plain stupid. Yes, there are commercial GPS units that have proper routing, but most truck drivers I know still rely on their smartphones most of the time due to convenience, better traffic reporting and just smarter routing in general. If the driver is not local, he may not be aware of ‘parkways’ and not pay close attention to the signs that he does not expect to see.
BronzedAppleFritter t1_izyaq3b wrote
The blame should be on the people getting paid to drive who don't pay attention to the posted signs and don't know the rules of the major roads they plan to drive on. It's their fault if they're relying on a smartphone app to share perfect instructions for their truck, if that app isn't designed to address limitations for trucks.
A professional driver should be paying extra close attention to road signs in an area they're not familiar with.
netscorer1 t1_izyg7mu wrote
First of all, it does not matter if you are ‘pro’ or just a soccer mom. On the road you have the responsibility to read all the signs. Second, no driver has time to read the entire multi-line sign (15 fricking lines of text on that board that you have to absorb in a split second you have to look at it). Third, what is the first thing that you are trained to pay attention to? - orange or red signs as they show caution or restriction. Not white informational signs that usually have no meaningful information to you as a driver. On the board we see one orange sign that says that there is a construction ahead. And this is what you would probably see if you just glanced at the sign while preparing to merge into highway traffic. Fourth, there are well established studies that show that drivers can absorb much easier iconographic signs, rather then texts. You know, like a picture of an actual truck crossed with a red line. And in most of the world you are expecting to see exactly those kind of signs, but because most drivers in US are too lazy or stupid that they can’t learn iconographic signs, you have to spell it all out for these bums. Fifth, restricted highways are really rare in US. Most drivers that do not live in North East are not familiar with them and so have no expectation to look for them. And lastly, if Google Maps app would have truck setting, the driver would not have to be put in this situation at all.
BronzedAppleFritter t1_izyk5fq wrote
I have no trouble reading entire multi-line signs as a commuter. If they can't read a couple dozen words fast enough, that's their and/or their company's fault for being/hiring such a slow reader when they absolutely need to read the signs. They're getting paid to pay attention to that stuff.
Google Maps isn't beholden to truck drivers. They're not paying for a truck feature with additional info. These drivers have the option to use the right tools, look up the rules of the major roads they're going to drive on, etc. Especially if they're not familiar with them. It's part of the job.
I think we're actually agreeing on most of this. I just don't think it makes sense to say "this is Google Maps' fault" when Google doesn't market Maps a tool for 100% compliance with road restrictions for commercial trucks. The drivers are making bad decisions in a professional capacity. It's their fault, not the free app designed for people with regular cars.
netscorer1 t1_izylvi6 wrote
One more thing - I talked to a truck driver about GPS units (not on this specific topic, but in general) and he mentioned that many commercial GPS units are not well suited when pickup or delivery needs to take place at private residence. They are mostly designed for truckers who move containers from warehouse to warehouse. As this driver is a home mover, he might have been previously discouraged to use commercial GPS unit because of that limitation. As for Google (an other popular GPS apps to some degree), I agree to disagree. Having built-in truck mode is not that difficult and there is no excuse that they ignore one of the largest driving communities on the road for so long.
BronzedAppleFritter t1_izyrdz9 wrote
It sounds like the drivers or the companies they work for need to be smart enough to switch between the apps. Or plan their route out instead of just relying on GPS in the moment.
I don't understand why you think Google owes that to truck drivers, though. The drivers and their companies don't pay for it and Google doesn't market Maps as a truck GPS app. Google doesn't need any excuses because they're not saying they provide Maps as a service to truck drivers. I think if I was arguing from your perspective, the "excuse" is that Maps is for cars and not commercial trucks.
netscorer1 t1_izytc5k wrote
No private company owes anything to anyone, unless they are regulated. But Google derives a shit load of money from built-in advertising on their Google Maps and from the constant tracking of the drivers on the road, so they can push even more ads their way. So, in a sense, they would be smart to actually build a useful truck mode that all truckers would be all too happy to use. As for switching between the apps, I guess you never sat in a commercial truck seat. There is already an overload of information that you need to pay atention to. Commercial truck dashboard resembles much more airplane front panel then your typical Toyota Corolla. To have also multiple GPS units try to talk to you at once and directing into potentially two completely different directions is too much distraction even for a seasoned driver. Again, I have several friends who practically live on the road, driving trucks. And they all use Google Maps, whether it’s right or wrong.
BronzedAppleFritter t1_izyx28t wrote
It might make sense for Google to do that, but they don't owe it to truck drivers or anyone using a free app. It doesn't benefit Google — it doesn't collect your data or serve you ads — if you don't use it.
Why is it not a problem at all to use one app, but some kind of huge burden, compounded by the all of the info on the dash, to switch between two apps? They don't need to have both active at once.
Yeah I'm not saying they can't use Google Maps. I'm just saying it's part of their job to drive safely and follow the rules of the roads they choose to use. However they want to get there is fine with me. But they're the ones causing the problem when they don't do that, not Google Maps.
CT_Patriot t1_izyp4ym wrote
There are options in Google, Waze, TomTom to avoid roads that prohibit commercial trucks.
But, as always, how many times have you seen vans, panel trucks, or any truck/SUV etc with commercial plates on the Merritt Parkway?
I guess they feel they can get on, go several exits and get off without being pulled over by state police.
Then the U-Hauls, Hertz, or any "moving" type truck with towing a trailer do you see?
If it's not those, it's landscapers who travel the Merritt with or without trailers.
On a positive note, down near between orealk and Westport the work they are doing to widen the parkway sure helps as opposed to going door handle to door handle widths.😁 👍
CT_Patriot t1_izyp5u0 wrote
There are options in Google, Waze, TomTom to avoid roads that prohibit commercial trucks.
But, as always, how many times have you seen vans, panel trucks, or any truck/SUV etc with commercial plates on the Merritt Parkway?
I guess they feel they can get on, go several exits and get off without being pulled over by state police.
Then the U-Hauls, Hertz, or any "moving" type truck with towing a trailer do you see?
If it's not those, it's landscapers who travel the Merritt with or without trailers.
On a positive note, down near between Norwalk and Westport the work they are doing to widen the parkway sure helps as opposed to going door handle to door handle widths.😁 👍
mynameisnotshamus OP t1_izz128w wrote
What are the options in Waze and google?
CT_Patriot t1_izzcn5i wrote
Google doesn't have this option, I checked Google and "Maps" is for "pleasure vehicles" only.
But, some roads show restricted in Google Maps.
Not sure with Waze.
mynameisnotshamus OP t1_izzjudr wrote
I had to take a small trailer to NJ a couple years ago and it was not easy knowing where I could and couldn’t be driving in an unknown area using Waze. I was hoping they added something.
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