Where is the latest US POI rest area file?

Interesting article (nothing we don't already know) on the closures of rest areas as reported on MSNBC

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33917782/ns/travel-news/

The "Rest Areas Combined" POI file has been update on 11/23 to Ver. S.
This brings the total location count to 2110.
12 changes were made in 4 states (AR, CA, MO, TX)
The file was run thru POI Verifier II before submittal.

Because of a number of trips coming up (including a cruise in January-This a cruise we were schedule to take in 2005 but had to cancel at the last minute) and the Holiday Season upon us changes to the file in the next 2 months will probably be minimal. After January I will get back to trying to be productive again.

Hope everyone has a great (and SAFE) Thanksgiving, Christmas and Hanukkah!

Enjoy your time away and be safe. Thanks for all you do here at The Factory!

....on the Happy Holidays MrKenFL. Enjoy your cruise and the time off. You are a great asset to this site.

The Rest Areas Combined file has been updated on 12/22 to Version T.
This update decreases the total locations to 2107.
There are 12 additions/Deletions/Corrections in 5 states. (IN, LA, MO, MS, TX).
Update was run thru POI Verifier II before submittal.

IMHO - the elimination of these Rest Areas is a serious detriment to the safety on our highways. I'm hearing that the new Governor of VA is considering reopening many of the VA Rest Areas closed this year.
Let's hope his thinking is contagious.

Have a Happy & Healthy New Year and, of course,
A MERRY CHRISTMAS

Just a comment, some of the area in VA area are no longer valid due to budget cut.

Good Job and Happy Holidays.

There were some 18 Rest Area closures made in July & 1 in Sept.
These closures were made in the Rest Areas Combined file in July & Sept.
I can't speak for the VA Individual State Rest Area file but the Rest Area Combined file should reflect all the known closures.

Yes, I experienced the samt thing. My GPS went off telling of a rest area ahead. Nope, it was closed!! I had no rubber bands, so I had to pull off on the side of the road and go. Becuase of so many rest stop closings, I bet it is really hard to keep up with where they are. Also, for some reason, I had an alert for one in the middle of the Kanawa River in WVa.

In 2008 & 2009 Ohio has been closing interstate rest stops as a cost cutting measure. It is to continue in 2010 too.

Used the file a couple times on the way to and from NJ (from/to IN). Very helpful. Thanks for the good work!

I updated the Rest Areas Combined POI file to Version U today (1/9/10) earlier in the month than usual due to upcoming travel.
Rest Area Locations have increased to 2119.
There were 31 additions/Deletions/corrections made in 9 states. (AL,IN,LA,OH,OK,NJ,TX,VA,WV).
File was run thru POI Verifier II before submittal.
All users who submitted inputs have been thanked individually !

Safe Travels to ALL

New Virginia Governor Orders All Stops Reopened by April

Four days after taking office as Virginia's new governor, Robert McDonnell announced Wednesday the Virginia Department of Transportation will reopen 19 highway rest areas that were closed last summer because of budget cuts.

McDonnell had pledged during his campaign that he would ensure the rest stops were reopened. The Commonwealth Transportation Board endorsed the move Wednesday.

Four rest stops will reopen by Feb. 17, The Washington Post reported. Eight more will be reopened by March 17 and the final seven will have their "closed" signs removed by April 17.

"There are very few things I have heard more about in the last six months that have been a source of discontent and inconvenience to the citizens than not being able to access those rest stops," McDonnell told reporters after the board's meeting. "For travelers to come to Virginia and see tape across the entrance to the rest stop and a big 'closed' sign, it's a bigger sign that Virginia is closed for business."

Each rest stop costs about $500,000 per year to operate and maintain. The shuttered stops will be reopened using private contributions through an "Adopt a Rest Stop" program plus $3 million from the state's maintenance reserve fund. The state will also employ nonviolent prison inmates to work at the rest stops.

Questions regarding this article may be directed to editor@aashtojournal.org.

Just got back from 12 day vacation so trying to get caught up.
Glad VA having the wisdom to reopen sites.

Will try to keep on top of the openings and update the "Rest Areas Combined" file accordingly.

Also have a few inputs from users I have to get cranked into file. Probably will wait until first
series of VA Rest Areas are reopened. Maybe by Feb 20.

The Rest Areas Combined POI File has been updated to Version V on 2/15/2010. The update includes 29 Additions/Deletions/Corrections in 6 states. (CA,NJ,OH,OK,SC,VA).
Part of this update includes the re-opening of 4 Rest Areas in VA which were closed last year for "cost savings". An additional 8 are scheduled for reopening in March and 7 more in April.
Next month I will also go through the complete CA listing of Rest Areas as they have been closing & reopening locations like crazy.

Try to stay between the snowflakes for the next month.
As usual, this update was run thru POI Verifier II before submittal.
All users who submitted inputs have been thanked individually.

I like the rest area file, with two exceptions:

1. All caps
2. Abbreviations

Is the all caps thing a limitation of POI Verifier? I spent the last hour editing the CSV to eliminate all caps as well as expanding the abbreviations for the various options available at the rest stops. I find it easier to read that than to keep in mind what the abbreviations mean. Plus, it's a lot easier to read all around with proper capitalization.

The way that I set the file up is my personal choice.

I believe that the all caps format is easier to read at a distance and the abbreviations are fairly simple, IMHO.

That's the beauty of the files. You can change them if you prefer another format.

I modify about 6 existing files I download from POI Factory and format them to my liking.

To quote Karen Schriver, author of the book "Dynamics in Document Design", she writes on page 274:

Now, you can't use bold on many GPS displays, but bold isn't an issue. The issue is the extra time spent reading an all caps display I believe increases the chances of an accident compared to the standard. Thus, while I can understand all caps being your personal preference, I find your reasoning for using it flawed, especially as almost all roadway signs (exceptions being stop, one way, and street name signs) are properly cased with the first letter being upper case and the rest of the word lower case.

The abbreviations aren't a major issue. I can understand how on a limited screen size like the non-widescreen units the abbreviations will provide the information a driver may need regarding what's available at rest stops. Certain abbreviations, like "Pkwy", "Tpk" and especially "T'way" should however be spelled out.

I don't intend on getting into a ....... contest concerning the format I have chosen. As I have stated, this is a volunteer project !
If you prefer your format change it for your GPS.

Many thanks for the rest area file!

dobs108

I for one have been using the Rest Stops every since being a member and have no problem with the format.Thanks for the time you have put in to this file MrKenFL.

The rest areas file is one of my favorite downloads from POI factory. I guess I would prefer mixed case over upper case, but it isn't a big deal either way. And I certainly appreciate your efforts in maintaining the file.

I not only use them I have provided info to MrKenFl. and they are one of the best poi's on the site. (alone with may other's). I have never had a problem reading the file with the cap format, and I use it on a 660 and have used it with Streets & Trips. Keep up the good work Ken.

Thank for sharing your Rest Area file with Poi-Factory and continuing to maintain it. I'd much rather have all caps than no file!

To the file maintainer,

I don't expect you to like my point of view, and I really don't give a damn if you do. I thought I was providing valid critique of the file in question. Sadly, I guess I've found another site out on the Internet where critique of free and volunteer work is actively discouraged, and that is sad. Being free and volunteer is not an aegis against critique, constructive or otherwise.

Last time I checked, I wasn't aware there was any contest either. I've said my piece. However, if the response you gave is any indicator, then you need a thicker skin to survive the slings and arrows of the Internet.

Have a nice day.

I have a couple of questions for you.

1 How many poi's have you downloaded from here that you couldn't even tell what state they were in let alone be able to help maintain or correct them.

2. I see you have provided a poi what was the name of it. (Not to critize just what to see what you done.)

Everyone here in most cases tries to make a POI that is helpful to all parties, but first and formost they are to help themselfs. Sometimes comments come across different than intended and it is easy to take offense to.

The "Rest Areas Combined" POI File has been updated on 3/14/2010 to Ver. W. and now has 2142 locations.
This update includes 46 (I erroneously said 42 in the update verbage) Additions/Deletions/Corrections in 7 States. (CA,CT,IN,NJ,NY,,TN VA)
The entire CA Rest Area segment has been rechecked and updated.
8 VA locations which are scheduled to be re-opened before 3/17 have also been added.
All Users that submitted inputs to me have been thanked individually.

Happy Motoring !

Thanks MrKen

State of Ohio is closing many of the roadside rest area's.. ,,, I don't remember seeing any sign postings that excludes trucks and or commercial vehicles at any rest stops in Ohio.

The Rest Areas Combined file has been updated to Ver. X. This brings the total locations to 2149.
This update has ALL the VA rest area reopenings.
File was verified with POI Verifier II.

Hope everyone has safe & uneventful travels.

Our travels this year don't start until early June so there should probably be 1 more update before we hit the road for 3 weeks in June.

Thank you for the updated Rest Areas Combined file. I appreciate that...

Glad to see VA rest stops will be open back up.

Thanks for the update, MrKen!!!

I've already downloaded it

This file is a lifesaver on long trips so thanks for the updates!

A must have file!

Thanks for your efforts MrKenFL.

The Rest Areas Combined POI file has been updated on 5/18/2010 to Version Y. There is a net decrease of 2 to 2147 locations. This update includes 23 Additions/deletions/corrections in 5 states (FL,LA,MI,MS,TN).
All users who sent me information have been thanked individually.
POI Verifier was run on the file before submittal.
This will probably be the last update until the end of June as we will be on the road a significant part of June.
Heading out to TN (Dollywood), NH,ME,MA,NY,VA which will be about 4000 miles. Graduation time for a couple of Grandchildren.
Happy travels !
MrKenFL

MrKenFL
Be safe out on the road, and above all have fun with your grandchildren.

Have fun on your travels MrKenFL.Wave when you get to VA.

have a fun trip sweetie, be safe.

Miss POI

This POI is one of my 'NEVER LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT' favourites and has been used quite often...can you say Life Saver? *smiles*

Thank you....thank you...thank you

Two Thumbs Up for a job well-done!

Yes, this is probably the most important POI I have on my Garmin. Especially as I may be traveling with my four year old Niece this summer. I know the rest areas on my route already but it is nice to be able to calculate who far away the next one is. Also, if I should get detoured, it is nice to have a backup plan.

The Rest Areas Combined file has been updated on 6/22/2010 to Ver. Z.

The total number of locations has been increased to 2150 with 32 Additions/Deletions/Corrections in 10 states (AL, AR, FL, IA, MA, NJ, NY, SC, TN, VA).

All users who submitted inputs have been thanked individually.

POI Verifier II was run on file before submittal.

Happy Traveling this Summer.

A1? A^2? Z+?

Information for the next update, if not already in the file.

All Massachusetts welcome centers are closed. (source: http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2010... )

So in brief, going into the state...

I-495 Chelmsford
I-95 Mansfield
I-95 Salisbury
I-195 Swansea
I-91 Greenfield

All closed. There are other welcome centers that are closed, but as they aren't on interstates I didn't list them here.

I had already run into this situation on I-495 in Chelmsford, MA when I was up there in mid-June and I changed the file to reflect that location. I was very disturbed when they had a big sign on the sign of the building that said "Any person urinating against the side of the building will be prosecuted" - How nice !

I checked the MA DOT site at that time but they didn't say they were closing them all.

Thanks again for the article - will make changes to reflect same which will be in the update at the end of July.

MrKenFL,

In case you are not aware, 2 rest areas on I-75 near where I live have been closed for renovations and will not be re-opened until the spring of 2011.

In your file, they are:

-82.371011,28.214572 NB I-75 MM 278
-82.371062,28.215129 SB I-75 MM 278

I found the information in this article. Its the 2nd story down, under the "Wesley Chapel" heading:

http://www.tampabay.com/news/briefs/pasco-woman-accused-of--...

In fact, it was this NB rest area where I took the photo that Miss POI put up on your rest area project page.

Guess I'll have to get a new photo after the renovations are complete.

Thanks Gary, will make modifications in my Master File for next update in 2 weeks.

Nobody but me knows what version the next update will be ???????????????

Will be passing the 100,000 download for this file in the next 3 weeks or so.

MrKenFL

I remember asking you that some time ago and here you are facing the version number delema... LOL!

How about, AA, AB, AC...

Followed by, BA, BB, BC...

Whoever does the 100,000th download should win a prize!

I already selected the next version about 2 months ago - !!!!

Too Late for inputs !!!!!!

I already selected the next version about 2 months ago - !!!!

Too Late for inputs !!!!!!