Rest Areas Combined-USA Discussion

I decided to

Blessed are the weak...

Isn't that how it goes? Thanks a heap!

you didn't give me time.

I decided to attempt to maintain this Rest Area file. The first thing that I noticed about the file, is that there is no reference to the State in which the Poi is located. This makes it extremely difficult to not only maintain and update the file as required, but also difficult for anyone to easily make an input for any addition or correction to the file. I decided to include the State in Column C along with the name {welcome center,rest area,turnout,etc) and even the name of the rest area if known.(See the listing in Idaho). In Column D, I decided to include the info that MrKenFl, the keeper of the original file, had compiled. I have also listed the Intestate,Hwy number in Column D. This will easily allow the file to be sorted by this number if required, In the short time that I have been looking at the file in detail, I have found that there is no one good source on the internet to obtain this Column D info, just multiple sources, and I don't know how reliable this data will be. I have concluded that the best source for this data are the member and users of this file. I hope that all of you people will in fact provide inputs to this file. I hope that the inputs will include the Coordinates, State,Type of rest area (welcome center, rest area, turnout,etc),if possible the name of the stop (See listing of Idaho for example),Interstate/Hwy number, NB,SB etc and if possible MM.. For Column D, see what MrKenFl listed on the download page for this file. You members will be the best source to keep Column D current.
With the number of comments that I have seen about this file, I really believe that this is an important file that many users download and use. All users should be willing to help maintain and provide the inputs to keep this file as current as possible. I will attempt to handle these inputs as quickly as possible.

Thanks for taking on this project.

I will help whenever I can. thank you for taking on this hard work

mahoney, your new file contains two of the three updates I offered in November but not the third.

The lat/long needs to be changed to the following for this one existing POI location in your current file:

-111.777471,34.670907,AZ REST AREA NB I-17 MM297,"I-17 [RR, PT, VM, Pets, HF, lighted]"

This correction is for a rest area on I-17 in a very narrow area where the north and southbound lanes are separated by a very narrow median strip. The issue here is that for folks who set the file up to offer alerts as they approach the rest areas on I-17, they will get both the northbound alert and southbound alert when travelling south. I slightly altered the NB location so that now no false alert occurs when travelling SB.

Thanks.

CraigW

Thanks, change is made.

Thanks for taking this on.

...always the man!

This question is directed to member pb46. You stated in another thread on the Rest Area file of porta potties in a SB rest area on I-87. Can you give me a line item presently in the latest file. Thanks. Also, do you want me to add that they were filthy?

Your simply unreal, I often wonder how many hours a week you must put in to maintain all those files.

Thanking you once again for all you do for this community, we're extremely fortunate to have you

Stop it, you're spoiling us. We all know that You Know Who told us to please be courteous and patient when awaiting a response. How can I be patient with such a response time?

Thanks also for maintaining the Culver's file. Mmmm, ButterBurgers.

Just a gentle reminder to all Garmin folk who have an icon or audio alert associated with their current Rest Areas Combined file: be sure to adjust the filename of the bmp and wav or mp3 to match the new csv filename.

Thank you for stepping up. You are correct, this is an important file for many of us. Rest Areas are not all that static. Some are closed, road reconstruction sometimes relocates them. Most are on Interstates but there are many significant stops along major US highways as well. We can all send you new ones as we come across them as well as those that appear to be permanently closed and hopefully this won't do you in. I also use many of the other files you maintain.

The line in question in your new csv file is 1362 for the southbound rest area.

While this would be great for current travelers, I will not be able to provide updates to a temporary situation that changes eventually. I do travel in this area between 2-4 times a year, and I have no problem updating this at those times but do we want to start to record temporary situations also in this database? I'm afraid you will be donating enough of your time for permanent installations, getting involved in temporary situations is probably a case of TMI.

Let us know.....

(-73.702512 44.019713 NY REST AREA SB I-87/NY T'way MM99 I-87/NY T'way [RR, PT, Pets, HF])

What do you mean, that there's a new .csv filename? If my current Rest Areas name is Rest Areas.csv, why would it be different with the latest version?

Phil

The name now, as offered for download, is RestAreasCombined_USA.csv

which is different than what Vito called it, and different from each version the MrKenFL offered in the past.

Not a biggie, just a reminder that icon and audio much match the csv or gpx names in your computer folder if POI Loader is to be able to process them for a nuvi as desired.

A little trick I use as well as others. When you download the file from POI Factory to you computer. Just click on the old file on the computer from the download. It will replace the old file but will retain the same file name . Anytime I replace a bmp or wav I use that method. Prevents having a renaming problem. Plus use shorter file name for less problems.

I'll guess that plunder does the same, in which case you both can ignore my earlier note.

I always download the new version of a POI file to a backup directory (if you will) hen copy it to the directory I download to the GPA. Yes, I have to change the name but I have 2 or 3 versions of backup. There has been more than once when the new file was corrupt and I had to resort to the bck up.

So CraigW, you r remider is still needed

we all do things a little differently

I always download the new version of a POI file to a backup directory (if you will) then place a copy of it in the install source directory that I use to download to the GPS. Make sure the names for the file, wav and icon all match and we're good to go!

Yes, I have to change the name in the install source directory but I have 2 or 3 versions of backup in the backup directory. There has been more than once when the new file was corrupt and I had to resort to the back up. Probably clear as mud, but it works for me.

So CraigW, your reminder for the naming convention is still needed

As I always add an alert distance to the file, I open it in EPE, add the proximity alert and then save it to the old file name as a GPX.

I agree about the value of this file and the BIG debt of gratitude owed to the maintainers, both now and in the past. I think that this was probably the first POI file I downloaded from here, and is also probably the single most useful file.

Once again, my profound thanks.

- Tom -

I looked in EPE and didn't see how to add the alert for all of the locations. Can you please share your procedure?
Thanks

When you have your file opened in EPE click "EDIT > REPLACE FIELD...". Then click on Fieldname and select "Proximity" from the dropdown selections. Then enter a new value in the 2nd box (I use 10560 feet for 2 mile) and then click the "Replace All" button.

Here is a video on how to do it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMAbHO4DI6I

My wife and I would prefer not to use porta potties. Unless it was an emergency, we would just go on to the next one, less than an hour. Based on this, I will probably put this in the file. I decided to look at the googel earth street view for this rest area and I couldn't see any porta potties. I don't know the date that this was filmed, probably before your last visit.

As you wish. We share your preferences. We stopped at this rest area in early Jan. when is was 8F. Definitely not porta pottie weather! LOL

First let me add to the thanks for taking this on. As an older man it's important I know when rest areas are coming up.

The coordinates for these to areas are currently close enough to the center of the interstate that they initiate an alert when traveling in the opposite direction. The coordinates I'm submitting correct it. I've driven it again with my new coordinates and it didn't happen.

EB I-24 MM133 in Tennessee

-85.860980 35.242770

SB I-75 MM319 in Georgia

-84.845600 39.569300

Hot summers can also be extremely painful. Not sure which is the worst. Kind of thought that the ge street view was taken probably a few years ago.

when it regards a potty break. We mostly travel by RV, so I'm the only one that has to look for a place to pullover.
I believe that I corrected the proper lines items. If you get the chance, let me know.

I'm so sorry for the SB I-75 MM319

The latitude should be 34.569300 rather then 39.

No problem. Turns out that I had only changed the digits after the decimal.

The three entries
-71.878517, 41.752172, "CT REST AREA NB I-395 Exit 89","I-395 [RR, PT, VM,HF]"
-71.876759, 41.756033, "CT REST AREA SB I-395 Exit 90","I-395 [RR, PT, VM,HF]"
-72.116578, 41.475224, "CT SERVICE PLAZA SB I-395 MM8.5","I-395 [RR, PT, VM, HF, Gas, Food]"

are duplicates (within a couple of hundred feet) of

-72.116726, 41.475171, "CT TP MONTVILLE SERVICE PLAZA SB I-395 MM 96 [Between Exits 79A and 79]","I-395 [RR, PT, VM, Pets, HF, Gas, Food]"
-71.878319, 41.752652, "CT TP PLAINFIELD SERVICE PLAZA NB I-395 MM 123 [Between Exits 89 and 90]","I-395 [RR, PT, VM, Pets, HF, Gas, Food]"
-71.877321, 41.75542, "CT TP PLAINFIELD SERVICE PLAZA sB I-395 MM 123 [Between Exits 89 and 90]","I-395 [RR, PT, VM, Pets, HF, Gas, Food]"

There are only 3 rest areas on I-395 in CT, not 6.

Also CT I-395, formerly part of the Connecticut Turnpike, changed its exit numbers to correspond to mileage. I don't think the exit numbers need to be maintained in this file, but the new numbers can be found at http://patch.com/connecticut/montville-ct/list-new-exit-numb...

Since the designation Connecticut Turnpike is no longer being used, perhaps the "TP" in the above entries, as well as the entries along I-95 in CT should be removed.

There is a turn-out along I-95 in MA, here:
-71.33394 41.91461 Parking area I-95 NB MM2.7

Should turnouts with police stations (that apparently _used_to_be_ rest areas) be listed? They do allow travelers to park there. If so, I'll have a couple of additions for CT.

Thanks for taking this on.

I corrected this in the latest file that I uploaded yesterday,1/25/16.
This latest file shows only 3 locations on I-395.

As far as exit numbers, I will look at this for future changes. Also I will add that new turnout on I-95 NB.

I was not aware that travelers were allowed to park in the police station locations. If that is the case, I would not have
a problem including them.

I just looked at the I-95 turnout that you mentioned above and the reason that I did not include this is the sign leading into this area states "weigh station".

Hmm. I didn't notice the weigh station sign, but I'll look next time I drive by (tomorrow, probably), and give you a better report about the facilities. I know there are parking spaces, but I think the weigh station is closed. There may be a dog-walk area. More when I find out.

The two police station areas I know of that allow parking in CT are I-95 SB between exits 66 and 65, opposite the info center at MM 78; and I-395 NB opposite the SB Montville service area.

Two service plazas at MM 41 are in Milford, one 'L', not Millford.

MMs on I-95 are correct, but it is no longer known as CT Turnpike.

The MM numbers on I-395 are different from what you have in the file. I-395 mileage starts at zero at it's start at the junction with I-95 at MM 88.5. The old mileage numbers and exit numbers are from the no longer used CT TP designation. I believe the MMs for the rest areas along I-395, both NB and SB, in CT are MM7 between exits 6 and 9, and MM35 between exits 32 and 35. I'll pay more attention next time I drive by.

There's a pretty good reference at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_95_in_Connecticut , but it still refers to the CT Turnpike. CT does not, and has removed all the signage about it.

Thanks, it hasn't been too diffcult so far.

And thanks to *you* for taking over maintenance of this important resource!

The turnout on I-95 NB in MA is at roughly MM 2.6. It is signed as a weigh station, but the weigh station is fenced off closed with chain link fences and gates. The rest area portion of this turnout is open, but LIVE PARKING ONLY is allowed. I didn't see bathroom facilities.

In RI, the turnout marked I-95 NB MM4.3 is really at MM 6.8 or 6.9. Directly across the road on the SB side is another parking area. I'll try to get more info on the SB area on my way back tonight.

There *used*to*be* a rest area and welcome center at roughly RI I-95 MM 4 NB, but it is closed, and has been closed for over a year, and has Jersey barriers blocking both ingress and egress roads.

I had the mm as 2.5, so close enough. I will add the words "LIVE PARKING ONLY" for those turnouts.
I haven't gotten as far as RI with the update, but I appreciate the inputs.

The turnout I reported as I-95 RI NB 6.8 or 6.9 is really 9.8. (I misread my own notes which I wrote while driving.) On the opposite side of the road is at 10.8 SB is a parking area with no services.

I have just completed the update thru Maine and the file is presently available for download.
If anyone has updates, please either send them to me by my contact tab, or list them in this thread.

Mahoney, thanks for taking on the maintenance of this very useful POI file. Was dismayed when I saw that the Column 4 info had been removed, but relieved now that you have not only restored it, but added enhancements too. Good work!

I appreciate the kind words.

Greetings,

I see that the two Parks AZ rest areas along I-40 remain in the POI file:

-111.879231,35.246989,AZ PARKS REST AREA EB I-40 MM182,I-40 [NOT IN SERVICE]
-111.864184,35.249682,AZ PARKS REST AREA WB I-40 MM182,I-40 [NOT IN SERVICE]

These are both permanently closed according to ADOT:

http://www.azdot.gov/business/highway-maintenance/rest-areas...

so I wonder if the two should be removed from the file. If not removed, I suggest moving the 'NOT IN SERVICE' to the beginning of the line. Driving past them yesterday, both alerted and in the text that appears on the map page, the Not In Service was not visible since the nuvi display doesn't offer all the text available on the alert offering.

Overall, it looks like five AZ rest areas are closed:

http://www.azdot.gov/business/highway-maintenance/rest-areas...

Since the website states permanently closed, I will remove them from the file. For any locations in the file that are not listed as permanently closed, for instance, undergoing renovation,I will look at putting the status at the beginning of the line.
Looking at the 5, 2 of them (Jupiter and Mazatzal) are not in the latest file, 1 (Parks) will be removed in the next revision and the remaining 2 (Mohawk and San Simon), I will move the statement "Not In Service" to the front of the line item.

Thanks for the input.

As always, thank you so much.

It is really great to see this important and useful file receiving all the attention on keeping it up to date. Thanks so much for taking this on Mahoney!

I have decided to change column C to what I believe will be more useful for the members who download and use this file. All of the data in column C will be retained, but will be in a different sequence. The new sequence will be:

State, Highway, Direction of travel, Name, MM if known.
An example:

AL,I-10,WB,BALDWIN COUNTY WELCOME CENTER, MM65.8

This will allow the file to be much easier to sort if anyone wishes to do so. I initially thought that only the state sorting would be useful, but after spending a few weeks updating the file, I felt that being able to sort on other functions would provide additional flexibility for members. For example,some members may only be interested in the Interstate locations and one can sort on State and then Highways. I have placed the direction of travel as the third listing. Sorting on this should eliminate most if not all false alerts occurring from coordinates in the opposite direction due to proximity. The name or MM can also be used, but I don't see these being used for sorting.

Column D will continue to show the functions available at the locations, but other data is removed since it is already in column C. Column D will also include the addresses for the locations significantly off the highway or in areas with cross highway/streets.