Where is the latest US POI rest area file?

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

Too Late for inputs !!!!!!

Mr. Ken,

The two MD rest areas that had been closed for remodeling at MM 39 are now open. The temporary sites have closed.

Thanks for the input Boxcar

Have changed my Master file which will be uploaded to POI Factory in about 2 weeks.

The 2 locations will be listed as REST AREAS for now as, according to MD DOT website, the actual Welcome Center portion will not be open until early Fall.

The Rest Rooms and parking are available now.

Thanks again.

The Rest Areas Combined Custom POI File has been updated to Version AA on 7/24/2010.
This update includes 38 Additions/Deletions/Corrections
involving 8 states. (AZ,FL,MA,MD,NJ,NV,PA,UT)
These changes bring the total of locations to 2155, an increase of 5.
All users who submitted inputs have been thanked individually.
POI Verifier II was run on this file just before submittal.

This file is extremely close to being downloaded 100,000 times from POI Factory. I understand Miss POI is going to award the "Purple Potty" award to the person who gets the 100,000 download.

Drive safely - be aware !

MrKenFL

Rest Areas Combined POI file has now exceeded 100,000 downloads.

I wonder who won the "purple potty"

The Rest Areas Combined POI File has been updated to Ver. AB. bringing the total "locations" to 2160.
This is an increase of 5. 14 Additions/Corrections/Deletions were made in 5 States. (KS,OH,PA,TX,UT).

POI Verifier II was run before submittal.
All users who submitted inputs have been thanked individually.

Be ALERT on the roadways.

MrKenFL

Thanks MrKenFL for your usual great work

I need help. I have downloaded the rest area POI's.
I find them in my Extra's file on my 205W gps device. Will they show up on the map whem I'm traveling? Also I want to download an alert for them but I can't seem to find the way to do this. I selected the (RestAreasCombined.mp3)but I don't see anything on the page it takes me to , to transfer it to my device. Please help. Thanks

To get a alert you have to use the POI loader, Uas manual. When you get to the POI you want a alert for just click on the box below the file for alerts, then add the distance you want for the warning, I use about 2000ft. this gives me time to move over if I am in the left lane.

Welcome to the site.

There are many threads on how to load POI for your device, and it seems as if you have the basics.

For the 2xx series, you need not only an audio file, but it has to be a wav file. You will also need another program, SOX.exe. SOX is installed on your computer in the same folder holding the POILoader.exe file.

To download the icon and sound file, select the icons and sounds link just above your name on the right of the page. Assuming you use windows, select the sound or icon from the selections when the page opens using the right mouse button. The selected files should be saved to the same folder where you load the rest areas from.

The sound and icon files must match the name of the rest area file except for the extension. Run POILoader and instead of Express, select Manual. This will allow you to set how far away from the point you want to be notified. I set mine for about a mile, 5300 feet.

Finishing setting POILoader options, let it run and your file along with the sound and icon will be loaded.

Thanks for your quick reply.I still can't seem to make it work. Could you give me a precise, sep by step, guide. I know, I'm a little slow on this. Thanks

See http://www.poi-factory.com/node/25730 for steps to get voice alerts.

I had so much trouble getting this done that I thought that maybe it would help someone if I posted what I did and in what order I did it. I have tried to put all the bits and pieces i read on other post into one. Here goes;

Changing the voice expression (Example, Recalculating) on a Garmin 255w

1 Have your GSP device hooked up to computer.
2. Run ITSvoice editor and click RUN. Use latest addition of voice editor.
2. Click the open tab at top of page.
3 On the page that opens Click: , COMPUTER on the left side,
4 Now find Garrmin nuvi on a drive on the right side and click to open .
4&5. Open the Garmin file and on the page that follows open the voice file.
6 Click the expression you want to change (Example; .American English-Samantha (TTS).
7 A new page will open with listed expressions. Choose one by clicking on it. (Recalculating)
8 Type in your new expression where indicated of the page that opens.
10 Click SAVE TAB at top of the page.
11 Click OK in the "change warning dialog box" that pops up.
12 Type in the exact file name of the expression you are changing with (.VPM) added where it says FILE.
Example in this case; “Recalculating.vpm”
13 Click OK,
You’re done.

The step you're missing here is to save a copy of the unedited file. This gives you the ability to recover the original speech file if something goes wrong.

The file that is to be saved is the unchanged voice file name. In your example you appear to rename Samantha to Recalculating. I don't think this will work as there is another file you haven't touched that contains the name of all the voice files. American_English_Samantha.VPM is in that list, Recalculating.VPM isn't. Your modified file has to be saved using the exact same name as the input voice file. In this case you would save the modified file as American_English_Samantha.

Example changing Recalculating to something else.
1.Connect gps to computer.
2.Using Voice Editor under file click open
3.Select Garmin drive,then click Garmin folder and last click voice.
4.Select English American Samantha.vpm.
5.Screen comes up showing the voice commands.
6.Make change for 68.
7.Go to file and click save.
8.Get notice about change.Click ok.
9.You see screen with voice files.
10.Double click on English American Samantha.vpm
11.You will get message if you want to replace existing file.Click yes

The "Rest Areas Combined" POI file has been updated to Ver AC on 9/30/2010.

There are 11 additions/Corrections/Deletions bringing the total "locations" to 2162. These changes were made in 3 states (AL, NC, NY).

I have been informed by a user that NY will be closing a number of Rest Areas in November due to financial woes. I will follow and update as needed.

POI Verifier II was run on this update before submittal.

All users who submitted inputs have been thanked individually!

Rest Areas Combined file updated 12/29/2010 (Ver.AD)

Total locations remained the same at 2162.
Made 29 Additions/Deletions/Corrections in 6 States.(CA,IA,MO,PA,TX,UT)

POI Verifier II was run on this version before submittal.
All users who submitted inputs have been thanked individually.

Thanks to MrKenFL for maintaining this large file. It is one of the most popular files downloaded at POI Factory, and I know a lot of people appreciate it.

dobs108

I too want to thank you MrKenFL for your effort, when I was still a smoker this was my favorite file keeping me from smoking in the car, it is almost two years since quitting the habit but still find this file very useful.

P.S. Is the rest area north of Tampa on I75 still closed for renovation?

Until sometime in the Spring:

"It might mean little to Pasco residents, who presumably have access to restrooms and snacks, but travelers take heed: Highway officials closed the two rest areas on Interstate 75 just north of State Road 56 for $25 million in renovations. Both rest areas are expected to reopen in spring 2011 featuring additional parking for trucks and new and improved buildings with expanded restrooms. A contractor hired by the Florida Department of Transportation will be demolishing and rebuilding the northbound and southbound rest areas in Pasco County at mile marker 278. The northbound rest area is north of State Road 56 (Exit 275); the southbound facility is south of County Road 54 (Exit 279). The entire rest area will be closed to the public during the project. Motorists will not be able to exit I-75 to the rest area properties. The next open rest areas are 29 miles north at mile marker 307 in Sumter County (6 miles north of State Road 50/U.S. 98, Exit 301); and 40 miles south at mile marker 238 in Hillsborough County (2 miles south of State Road 674, Exit 240)."

With $25mil I hope they make it as nice as this one near Seguin TX

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=29.6148%2C%20-97.8093&um...

http://www.yelp.com/biz/guadalupe-county-eastbound-safety-re...

I wouldn't get my hopes up too high.

The Rest Areas Combined POI file was updated today (1/18/11) to Ver.AE. There were 26 additions, deletions, corrections made to the locations in 5 states, decreasing the total locations to 2156 - a decrease of 6 locations.
The states effected were AZ, FL, OH, PA, TX.

All users who submitted inputs were thanked individually ! (except for 1 whose e-mail return addy was rejected)

POI Verifier II was run on the file before submittal.

The Rest Areas Combined POI file was updated today (2/22/11) to Ver.AF. There were 17 additions/deletions/corrections made to the locations in 5 states, decreasing the total locations to 2157 - a increase of 1 location.
The states effected were AZ, LA, MS, OH, TN.

All users who submitted inputs were thanked individually !

POI Verifier II was run on the file before submittal.

MrKen, sorry for just missing update "AF" but for your next update, note that the Arizona Rest Area (SB I-17 MM297) is now open again so you can remove the "TEMP CLOSURE" from its entry as you have done for the NB entry recently.

Whenever I come back from a long trip I like to thank MrKenFL, just got back yesterday from a 700 mile trip to Pigeon Forge TN and with two children and two senior citizens in the vehicle the Rest Area Combined was a good file to have.

You know the drill, I got to pee...

We know the drill since we are both in our mid-70's.
Did the Gatlinburg, Pidgeon Forge, Dollywood, Dixie Stampede routine last May. Really enjoyed it !

The Rest Areas Combined POI file has been updated to Ver. AG on 3/22/2011.
27 additions/deletions/corrections were made in 5 states. (AZ, OH, PA, RI, NY).

This is an increase of 2 locations bringing the total to 2159.

POI Verifier II was run on this version before submittal.

All Users who submitted inputs have been thanked individually.

I'll "try" to get another update done before I leave on a 5000+ mile driving trip to the Canadian Maritimes in May/Jun.

Looking forward to snagging this improved POI file when I get home tonight. I love the rest area POI and am stoked that it's been reworked to be more accurate.

THANK YOU!!!

Thanks, MrKen, as usual! I got it downloaded.

trying to get a list of rest stops so we can plan our sops this sumer, thank

hywayhogs,
This Rest Area Combined file is currently #2 on the website HOME page. You can also search all POI files using the blue tab at the top right of every page by category or at the bottom of the POI page click on the alphabetic listing.

Welcome to the sight.

I am having a problem downloading the “Rest Area Combined” POI for my Garmin. The Tom Tom version will download just fine, but the Garmin version refuses to download at all. Anyone have any ideas what the problem could be.
Thinks,
Pete

Are you using Windows or a Mac? What operating system?

What browser (and version) are you using?

It downloads fine for me. Are you able to download other POI files in Garmin format?

I am using a Dell PC, Windows XP, Internet Explorer 8.
I have downloaded other Garmin POI files with no problems. When I try to download the “Rest Area Combined” POI a new Windows Internet Explorer window opens with a blank page and stays blank for a long time. After a while I get impatient click on the red x button to try and close the window. That’s when the download window pops up and ask where I want to save the file. I select the location to save the file and click save. It starts the download but only downloads a small portion of the file be fore it discontinues the download.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I just now downloaded the file using my Dell, Windows XP Home Edition SP3, and IE 8.

I think that proves the problem is with my computer. I can download some files but not others. I am also having problems downloading certain files from other web sites. Sure is frustrating.

Maybe your anti-malware or other security settings is blocking "certain files". csv files may be seen to be excel related and may be be blocked because excel files can have bad macros in them.

Have you tried deleting your browser's temp files and cookies, then repeating the POI file download?

In IE, click Tools/InternetOptions/General/BrowsingHistory.

Yes, I have deleted temp files and cookies also did a reset of IE. Think I will do a system restore to an earlier date and see if that helps. Will let you know what happens.

I feel your pain!

Because it is a pain, to manually verify each site. At least with Rest Area locations, you don't have to drop to street view, like I do for ATMs and/or bank locations. Sometimes there will be 2 or 3 banks in one block and the Google address location is off. You have to drop to street view to make sure you get the right one.

When I'm done, POI Factory will be way more accurate than the BofA site (location wise).

Keep up the good work.

That can cause more problems, and in general is not a good idea. You could mess up other software/feature changes that you had made since the restore point was created.

The only time I would use system restore would be to create a restore point just before making a change and use it if the change causes problems.

What happens at the POI download page

http://www.poi-factory.com/node/6643

if you right-click the GarminCSV button, then click "Save Target As..."

When I use the right button click and then “Save Target As” the download window pops up immediately, which is better than doing a left button click on the GarminCSV button. When I click on the “save file” button the download progress window appears with the green progress bar partway across but at this time it just stops. It varies a little from time to time on how far it goes. The last time it was 48kb. After a few minutes the window closes it self. When I use explorer to see if the file downloaded, the file downloaded is only 48kb in size. It looks like it is starting to download but is stopped before it can be completed.

Well system reset did not help, but that was kind of a shot in the dark, not having any idea what the problem is much less when it occurred.

I am going to let it rest for now. I’m not going to give up. I just don’t have much time to spend on it right now.

Thanks for your thoughts and suggestions.

I think I am on the trail to finding my download problem. I switch over to “Google Cromb” browser and it seems to have downloaded the “Rest Area Combined” Garman CSV file, although my download came out about 2kb smaller than what was indicated on the web site. It also downloaded a file from another web site that I could not download before. Don’t have time to attempt to load it into the Garman tonight. Will give it a try tomorrow.

So it looks like my Internet Explorer is the culprit.

Try disabling addons in IE. Go to tools then manage addons. Disable the addons and see what happens. If it works then re inable 1 at a time till you find the culprit.

FYI the size of the file on my computer is 152 kb as shown in Windows Explorer and the information given by right clicking the file and then choosing "Proerties" is: 151 KB (155,606 bytes).

Looks like the culprit is more likely one or more of your third party add-on's rather than Internet Explorer.

I started IE without addons and it did not help.

Thanks Evert, those are the same numbers I got when I downloaded “Rest Area Combined” with Googel Chrome.

The Rest Areas Combined POI file has been updated to Version AH on 4/20/2011.
The total number of locations has been increased to 2161 with an increase of 2. There were 8 additions/deletions/corrections made to 3 states. (DE, FL, ME)

The 2 users who submitted inputs were thanked individually.

POI Verifier II was run on this update before submittal.

There may, or may not, be an update in May as we leave for an extended driving (what else ?) trip in mid May from FL up through the Canadian Maritimes(NB, NS, PEI), Long Island, NH, ME, Upstate NY and VA. (Those are our expected visit stops). Anticipated mileage approx. 4900 miles plus local travel. Should be back in FL by June 11.

Happy and Safe Travels to all POI members!

Thanks for the work on this. Have a great trip.