Rest Areas-USA Discussion

I posted this a few months ago and now it is called a tire toilet and time for a few more laughs. See the following:

http://news.dose.com/motors/25990/Bathroom-Emergencies-Are-A...

Well Mahoney, please don't add the places where this device has been used to the "Rest Area's" file

The rest area at MM 6.2 of I-95 NB in RI has reopened. I did not drive in, but I could see portapotties from the road, so I'm guessing that the building there is not open.

So I rechecked the MM of the other two rest areas on this road in RI, and these two need to be corrected:
-71.668315,41.557354,"RI,I-95,NB,TURNOUT, MM9.8","[NO FACILITIES] This is actually at MM 10.6 NB, and

-71.667861,41.559126,"RI,I-95,SB,TURNOUT, MM9.8","[NO FACILITIES] is actually at MM 10.8 SB. (These two are directly across the road from each other.)

I'm reasonably sure that the EB and WB areas on I-195 in RI are closed, but haven't been able to verify. I will try to do so soon.

I just read on the internet that this rest area just reopened and porta potties are available. Work will continue on interior spaces including restrooms. Planned opening by the end of this month. I will add this rest area, but will only have RR in column D. I will add the additional info as it becomes available.
I will also correct those 2 turnout MM.

Thanks for the input.

Just returned from a trip through New York. Several rest areas had about six porta potties but we stopped anyway. The regular bathrooms were all open and the porta potties were padlocked. The conclusion is that the presence of porta potties does not necessarily mean the bathrooms are closed.

Thanks again mahoney for the rest areas file and also the rest areas with restrooms!

dobs108

I just hope that I don't get any submittals for inputs (or outputs as in this case) for incorporation.

-71.972178,41.371074,"CT,I-95,NB,(NT) SCENIC OVERLOOK, MM89.5","[NO FACILITIES] ,,,,|SCENIC VIEW"

is located past _exit_ 89 (not MM) at approx. MM100.5.

There is a rest area on CT I-95 SB in North Stonington, CT, just past exit 92 (SB), at approx. MM 107.5. I didn't see this anywhere in the current file.

Here's a good reference for the CT rest areas:
http://www.ct.gov/dot/cwp/view.asp?a=1390&q=292578

This says that the rest area is beyond exit 93, but I checked very carefully, and it is actually just beyond exit 92. In fact it is between exit 92 and the corresponding entrance.

In Connecticut, exit numbers on I-95 are based on miles. So exit 92 is only a mile away from exit 93, and so on. There is no sense in splitting hairs with reference to a nearby exit location. The coordinates of the ramp to the rest area are all that is needed.

All contributors must realize that the coordinates of any rest area have to be on the exit lane to the ramp leading to the rest area, for the POI location to be detected reliably along-the-road. The coordinates of the building or parking lot are never used.

dobs108

The Rest area near North Stonington,CT is presently in the file. As far as the reference document that you mentioned, that is exactly the reference that I used. If you look at it, you can see that no MM 's are listed, only directions of travel and past certain exits. I am presently trying to determine MM using Google Earth street view, but it is difficult and time consuming. If I am unable to obtain the MM's values, the file will remain as is. What is really important are the coordinates that are listed in the file. If these are incorrect, I welcome the inputs.

This rest area

-72.434081,41.291012,"CT,I-95,NB,TOURIST INFO REST AREA, MM65.5","[RR,,VM,Pets,HF]|"

is closed. There is no indication of how long it will be closed.
It is located past Exit 65 NB.

Thanks, I will flag this as Closed and no Est regarding its reopening.

Some rest areas have RV dump stations and that would be good information to have.

It would be best to keep the RV dump station info separate from Rest Areas.

Just download the file by rivopom or JD4x4.

http://www.poi-factory.com/node/46076

http://www.poi-factory.com/node/46107

-71.848234,41.418473,"CT,I-95,SB,NORTH STONINGTON REST AREA, MM108.4","[RR,PT,,,HF]|"

This rest area will have restricted hours effective Sept 30, 2016. I will repost when I find the new open hours.

The file presently does indicate a number of rest areas that have dump stations.

good idea but needs a privacy curtain.

The rest area
-71.848234,41.418473,"CT,I-95,SB,NORTH STONINGTON REST AREA, MM108.4","[RR,PT,,,HF]|"

will have restricted hours 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. effective Sep 30.

Makes sense—no one pees after 4PM, right?

Thanks for the info. I added this in column D as shown below:

[RR(Restricted Hours),PT,,,HF]|RR only open 8am-4pm

With the restricted hours, some travelers may want to reconsider this.

See post on 8/21/2016

The parking area on the Long Island Expressway eastbound I-495 near exit 51 (in the file) was visited by the governor years before he was elected:

https://www.longislandpress.com/2016/06/07/cuomo-recalls-nig...

Thankfully, this is being turned into a rest area with bathrooms and a welcome center. I'll post here when it opens (soon). However, trucks are no longer welcome!

dobs108

I don't believe that the present files includes any rest area on I-495 (LIE). Using google earth, I do see a Text Stop Parking Area for EB traffic and also one for WB traffic. It appears that neither one has RR's, only trash cans and a few benches. Do you have any additional info on these? Also, will these remain whenever the welcome center opens. I will add these if the overall plan is for them to remain.

EB -73.319521w, 40.803043n
WB -73.31044w 40.804031

Saturday I will check the file and geocode the ramp to the parking area. The ramp is unchanged with the new construction. Remember that since the rest area has not opened, it would be premature to add it to the file.

dobs108

OK,I-40,WB,Shawnee Rest, MM197
Appears closed permanently? It is blocked off and overgrown but the EB side is maintained and well used.
AR,I-40,WB,White River Rest Area, MM199
AR,I-40,EB,White River Rest Area, MM199
Both of these are temporarily closed for renovation. From the appearance of the construction, I would guess they would be back open in 3-6 months.

OK,I-40,WB,Shawnee Rest, MM197
Appears closed permanently? It is blocked off and overgrown but the EB side is maintained and well used.
AR,I-40,WB,White River Rest Area, MM199
AR,I-40,EB,White River Rest Area, MM199
Both of these are temporarily closed for renovation. From the appearance of the construction, I would guess they would be back open in 3-6 months.

All Long Island Rest Areas are on the Long Island Expressway, I-495.

Eastbound -73.319521w, 40.803043n, formerly a Text Stop and Parking Area, is now the new Welcome Center, which has 30 (stall) bathrooms, electric car charging, satellite police offices, 24-hour security cameras, parking for 135 cars, and a Taste New York kiosk with local products. However, no trucks or buses will be allowed at the rest stop. It could be opening this week, but as of today it is not open.

Eastbound trucks or buses are already being directed to an existing truck inspection turnout and parking area between exit 65 and 66. The state DOT promises better lighting and porta-potties. I have not seen them. This will continue in operation until other accomodations are built for trucks and buses. The coordinates of the exit lane: -72.953395 40.826088

The preceding two locations are the only eastbound parking areas of any kind.

Westbound -73.31044w 40.804031 is an existing Text Stop and Parking Area, with no facilities. The state DOT promises better lighting and porta-potties. I have not seen them. This location is to continue in operation. This is the only westbound parking area of any kind.

dobs108

https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-announces-st...

http://www.truckersnews.com/rest-area-lie-will-be-no-trucks-...

TXRVer,

I have not been able to find out any info regarding the permanent closure of the OK,I-40,WB,Shawnee Rest Area,MM197. As a result, I will put the following in the file:
OK,I-40,WB,CLOSED (MAY BE PERMANENT) SHAWNEE REST AREA,MM197

If we find out that it is in fact closed permanently, I will remove it.

For the White River Rest Areas in AR, I will add the words "Closed for renovation."

Thanks for the input.

I want to give you a BIG thanks for taking this project over as the file is such a great help to so many.

I appreciate the kind words.

-72.745329,41.550665,"CT,I-91,NB,WALLINGFORD REST AREA, MM20.8","[RR,PT,VM,Pets,HF]|RV Dump"

has signs posted that the building (with the rest rooms, etc.) is closed from 3:30pm to 8:30am daily.

Here's a reference from NBC news:
http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/DOT-Changing-Rest-A...

The state Department of Transportation is changing the hours at several rest areas across the state.

Beginning Sept. 30, the rest areas will no longer be open 24 hours a day. The new hours will be:

8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Interstate 84 Willington
Interstate 84 Southington
Interstate 91 Wallingford
Interstate 91 Middletown
Interstate 95 North Stonington

7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Interstate 84 Danbury

This parking area, on westbound I-495, the Long Island Expressway, is now closed with Jersey barriers in front. I am unaware of any other westbound parking area.

dobs108

Thanks for the input. I will put that notice in column D.

Good to see you back, mahoney!

dobs108

Looking at google earth, it shows a WB area at
-72.958672w 40.825399n

Do you happen to know what this area is for or does it even exist?

Thanks, returned to our house today. Very hectic few days.

I have no info on this parking area. It is roughly the same location as an eastbound truck inspection turnout mentioned above. This is 40 miles east of my home. Maybe I will take a drive this weekend.

The old westbound parking area which is now closed is directly across the highway from the new eastbound Welcome Center. If it had porta-potties and new lighting, this would look bad for people headed for eastern Long Island. This new location could be the westbound replacement.

dobs108

On the Long Island Expressway I-495 east, trucks or buses are directed using portable electric signs to a parking area, at a truck inspection turnout, between exit 65 and 66. Although this is for trucks, there are no signs preventing cars from entering. I was there today. There are two porta-potties, new lighting, and 24-hour video surveillance. It is rather pleasant there with many trees for shade.

The truck inspection function of this parking area is not apparent since there are no permanent features for this. It is an entirely portable operation by the Suffolk County Police Department. Out on the road is the usual overhead sign, "Trucks Must Enter When Flashing."

The coordinates of the exit lane: -72.953395,40.826088

Please disregard my previous post above about this location dated 10/1/16.

dobs108

On the Long Island Expressway I-495 westbound, there is an all-new truck parking area just west of exit 56, route 111. There is no direct ramp from the interstate to the parking area because there are two-lane service roads on both sides of the main road. In spite of this it is easy to get to the parking area and even easier to get back on the interstate westbound.

From I-495 westbound, take the exit 56 ramp -73.21124,40.80939
Drive straight across route 111. There is a red light camera at the traffic signal. On the northwest corner is a gas station with diesel and wide-open areas suitable for big rigs. There are restrooms, a convenience store, a Subway (sandwiches), and Dunkin Donuts, all open 24 hours.

Drive a short distance west on the service road to the parking area entrance at -73.222172,40.80908 just past the cell tower. The parking area was recently built using part of a State DOT yard. There are two porta-potties and new lighting.

It is a walk of about 400 yards from the parking area to the gas station and stores.

Note to truckers - the location coordinates are in a format for a GPS Point Of Interest file. To view it in Google Maps or Google Earth, flip the numbers, add a space between, and enter it in the search box.

-73.222172,40.80908 becomes 40.80908 -73.222172

dobs108

Went there today. It is a turnout with no facilities, but it is open to drive into. There are no signs approaching it.

dobs108

Truckers beware the New York City and Long Island area for low clearances. Near the interstates are many parkways, which, in this area, means cars or pickups only. They have many low clearance overpasses. In New York City, elevated train structures also have low clearances.

http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/downloads/pdf/trucks_nycarea_par...

dobs108

I plan on adding this parking area to the file. When you take the WB Exit 56, are there signs showing the direction to this area?

Yes, there are several signs both on the interstate and on the service road. It would be sufficient to include the coordinates of the exit 56 ramp.

dobs108

The Long Island Welcome Center is now open starting today. It is on the Long Island Expressway, I-495 eastbound, between exits 51 and 52.
-73.319521w, 40.803043n (formerly a Text Stop and Parking Area)

This all-new facility has lighted parking for 135 cars, bathrooms, pet comfort station, electric car charging, substation for Suffolk County Police and NY State Police, vending machines, 24-hour security cameras, and a Taste NY Market offering locally-produced food and beverages, including sandwiches and coffee. Among locally-produced beverages are wine and craft beer. It is not known if these will be offered.

No trucks or buses will be allowed at the Welcome Center.

https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-announces-gr...

dobs108

Thanks for the update. I will add this to the file along with the other basically truck rest areas along the LIE (I-495)

I am new to this site. I want to download the Rest Area w/restrooms to my Garmin Zumo 660, but not really sure how to do it. I read the instructions somewhere on the site, but it doesn't say whether I need to download sound file, and icon, or what. Any help would be appreciated.

Welcome to the site. Many of our members are ready to help!

Start by loading the POI file alone without sound or icon. After the POI file works right, then go on to the next step.

Try my FAQ. Just ignore the red light and speed camera info and download Rest Areas with restrooms, which is the one that I always download. The FAQ:

http://www.poi-factory.com/node/30728

dobs108

Is there a rest area database that provides information as to which rest areas or states allow RV parking overnight in the rest area and which rest areas have RV dump facilities?

Both the Rest Areas with restrooms file and the RestAreasCombined file show which have RV Dump facilities. See the listing in column D for either file.