Rest Area POI (4th column)

There is another thread around here with the same comments. Someone else took over the file and that I guess is the way they decided to do it. I liked all the other info also.Since we get it free it hard to complain.

True, and since Vito (the current file maintainer) is a TomTom user and not a Garmin user, he probably has little incentive to put in the considerable effort it would take to maintain this information. It is my understanding that the descriptive info does not show on a TomTom (someone correct me if this is wrong).

Perhaps if another member was willing to partner with Vito and maintain this part of the information, he would be willing to put it back in the file. If this is a possibility, it should be done sooner rather than later, while the data provided for so many years by MrKenFL is still available and not too far out of date.

My understanding is that a Tom Tom only shows 3 fields. ov2 files

I don't find the loss of Column 4 a big deal. When my gps advises there's a rest area ahead, I really don't have time to read the fine print and see what's there. Also distracted driving laws, can make this an expensive read.

I'm usually stopping, at a rest area, for a pee break, leg stretch and sometimes to eat the sandwiches that we have in our cooler.

My experience has generally been on trips to Myrtle Beach, Branson or Florida. We find that few rest stops have Fast Food Outlets or Gas, so I'm never really looking for one with those features. I'll grab an off ramp, based on the signage that I see along the road, prior to the ramp. If I like the restaurant choices and gas, I'll pull off, otherwise, I'll keep going.

If I want internet, I usually find any number of Fast Food outlets has that and easier than worrying if a rest area has it.

I created the Rest Areas for Ontario, and that is available in GPX format. All Ontario rest areas are technically Service Centers, with gas, fast food and convenience stores. I have included info that includes the brand of fast food outlets and gas station. However, it seems redundant, because there's always a large sign well ahead of the ramp that shows the same info, in a format that's much easier to read at 115 kph, (70 MPH).

I used the data a lot! Not in the pop up window, but in the search window. If you need to search for the next rest area, then if it has "facilities" or is just a parking area matters big time.

Unfortunately I updated without knowing that this data had been removed. Is there any way to get a version of the last POI file that had it?

For MikeG1:

I have the final MrKenFL version (Ver. BO) which is 166k in size. Contact me through my account's Contact tab and I'll send it to you by email.

For all:

When MrKenFL retired from maintaining the Rest Areas Combined file, the file and its updates were taken over by POI Factory member Vito. From what I've read, Vito is on the road a lot and isn't able to check into The POI Factory too often and as stated earlier in this thread, is a Tom Tom user which doesn't offer the Custom POI offerings that Garmin devices do. If anyone is willing to take on the maintenance of the Rest Areas Combined file, either for more frequent updates or to restore the missing data that was available in the file when offered by MrKen, I suggestion contacting JM or GlobeTurtle and see if they and Vito are willing to transfer the file to their care. Before thinking of offering to take over the file, think about what effort is required. My thought is that the file updates will not require a lot of work but that frequent updates (based upon the frequency of rest area update data offered by our users) will ideally require someone who has the time and energy to frequently check their email, check this web site, and modify and revise the POI file.

The US isn't consistent on marking the facilities a particular rest area has. Worse, the source data is inaccurate in places. For example, in my neck of the woods, on the highway I travel daily to work, the eastbound lane has a welcome center that is closed. The westbound lane, in the same general location, has a turnout that actually is a picnic area with tables. The source data does not reflect these facts.

I know in the other thread on this I felt that the added data was worthwhile. I still do, but given the lack of accuracy from the source material, perhaps it's better that the amenities information isn't included.

I agree that whether the rest area has flush toilets must be included.

The POI location is also very important. It must be located on the exit lane to the rest area, not on the rest area itself. If the rest area is too far off the road (about 98 feet or 30 meters) the POI will not alert when traveling "along the road."

In my opinion, all the other data is not needed, first, because it would make the POI file harder to maintain, and second, because the data may not be accurate even after the maintainer has done their best in obtaining it.

This is the most downloaded and the most prestigious POI file on this great site. It is a real accomplishment to maintain the Rest Areas file.

dobs108

I never even realized the other data was there. Obviously I only used the file to alert when a rest area was coming up so we could stop to pee, stretch, change drivers, eat from our cooler, etc.

I use the Rest Area file when trip planning, before I start driving. There are places and roads where there aren't any rest areas! Several are the New York City area and Long Island.

New Jersey, except for toll roads like the New Jersey Turnpike (I-95), has almost no rest areas on the interstates. I am sure there are other locations like this.

Using the Rest Area file, I avoid traveling to locations with no rest areas.

dobs108

We use the Combined Rest Area file when we travel. I have never really used the information that has been deleted. Our needs for a Rest Area are really fairly simple.....Just a safe place to pull our RV off the road. Most times we just stop to stretch our legs and walk the dogs. If facilities are required we use the RV.

I am sure that it takes a lot of time to maintain these files for us and truly appreciate the hard work that everyone puts into them.....Thank you to all POI contributors!

Travel Safe!

Whenever I update the rest area POI I first put it in Word where I use "Find and Replace" and put a comma in front of no facilities, turnout, Truck turnouts or other rest areas I want to avoid. I then save it and open in Excel where those rest areas would show up in column four. I then sort by that column to check for error and then delete column four.

We do have someone who has volunteered to take the lead on this file and continue with the additional columns. We're still working out some details, but I will post when we get it finalized.

Thanks!

~Angela

Thanks Angela.

The suspense is killing me.

If needed, I do have a copy of the last MrKenFL file, version BO, and it's not as smelly as it sounds.

I agree with you there. We pulled into a rest area once and all they had were porta-potties. Needless to say, we left.

Maybe we only need info, if there's flush toilets. That would allow a sort to eliminate all other rest areas, if you want. Welcome centers are usually close to the state line and are always well marked ahead of time.

How well do the various states indicate other services, such as vending machines, fuel, etc.? Most people have cell phones, so pay phones is not as critical.

Best news of 2016 so far. Thanks to whomever stepped up!!!!!

You sure you didn't pull in to a Trucks Only Rest Area? Most of the time, they completely raze a rest area and make it trucks only. The only facilities in those are several ports potties.

That is possible.

I just travelled on I-87SB and stopped at the High Peaks South Rest Area that used to be a well located and well maintained rest area with only rest room services and vending machines and tourist info brochures.

Now, while the little building is still open, we are confronted by a large sign saying the rest rooms are closed! Looking around we could see 4 porta potties set up beside the parking lot. Trust me, using an outdoor porta potty in 10F weather is no fun! And to make things worse they were FILTHY. Had it not been an emergency I would have surely waited for the next area.

I saw no indication that this was temporary and based on the condition of the porta-potties, it looked that they were installed since a long time.

I too would agree that this type of info would be much appreciated if it was included in the POI file.

To help whoever is dealing with this, can we simplify what services are shown. Narrow it down to what's really important.

The main intent of my post was to reinforce the need for this type of information, which was obviously lost.

I hope that the individual who agrees to reintegrate the dropped information, will have access to the previous info. Updating info should be quicker than rebuilding the info every time.

Perhaps EPE would be helpful in maintaining this file if not already being used.

The main reason would be that EPE can output both .csv and .ov2 files from a master .gpx file. Having the file in a .gpx format means that a considerable amount of information could be maintained but then reduced to the fields permitted by the different PND (personal navigation devices).

Almost as important would be that EPE can draw - for each location - a 30 meter circle around the coordinates chosen on ramp leading to the rest area. This is a very important step as it lets you place the coordinates such that there will not be a spurious "alert" on the other side of a divided highway - especially those whose opposing lanes are separated by only a center barrier wall.

The file has been transferred to mahoney. I will close this thread and another can be started for changes and suggestions.

~Angela