Dulles Toll Road/Greenway

Excellent Idea.

Too bad we can't set the nuvi to avoid custom POIs!!

That's a feature at the top of my wish list.

+1

Actually, I don't think that this would be too hard to compile since VA took alot of them away about 10-15 years ago. I'll start the richmond area. I am not sure how to do it besides going there and recording the coordinates. I'll see if there is a website with them.

Go to this Page and you will have the Info you need

http://www.virginiadot.org/travel/faq-toll.asp

This was the first site I visited when I thought of doing this. It provides a good checklist for the project and there doesn't seem to be a lot of booths. I was hoping it would provide locations so I could georeference them. I don't actually live near any of them, so can't get the coordinates with my GPSr.

I started created a POI file for the Dulles Toll Road toll plazas. I need a word for the filename that will activate the GPSr alert. Any suggestions? The POI Loader help file does list "Alert" as a valid alert word and none of the other choices seem to apply to Toll Plazas.

I'm slowly trying to compile a list of all toll roads and auto rates for both the US and Canada. If you send me your raw data, I'll compile for you (check Nova Scotia - Tolls for sample) Bridge and tunnel tolls are also being added. There are some other files and it is my intention to do/redo in a standard format. GeePeeEx Editor allows alerts for different distances/speeds so I can adjust for Hwys and citry roads.

Your call.

trbirchall@hotmail.com

I'll send you my data once I complete the Dulles Toll Road. There aren't many tolls in VA.

No hurry. I suspect this is likely to be a long project. Would also appreciate the tolls as they apply passenger vehicles and the date confirmed.

(By placing the amount in the name, it shows up when the alerts flaxh allowing you to get the money out BEFORE the toll booth advises you of the maounts allowing you to use the "exact change lane more readily>)

Good idea about putting the toll amount in the name.

see newly uploaded file NE USA Tolls. The alerts if set to proximity work like a charm with the toll amounts. I do not have to fiddle around looking for correct change,correct lane and correct speed. I generally set proximity to 2000m (1.2Mi) for booths and 1000m (0.6mi) for entry booths.

Works for me!

I'm not sure how stuff like that is programmed into GPX files. I'm working with CSVs, so I think I am more limited in how I can set proximity alerts, based on POI Loader's capabilities.

The problem is that the actual toll amounts change. Not rapidly, I admit.

I pondered something similar for the concept of urban parking garage POIs. The basic issue there is that the fees often vary depending on time of day. It is very difficult to collect the info, and very difficult to convey the info in a POI name.

I'd like to see some comments on the issue of creating POIs for large targets like the Rt 7 toll plaza on the Dulles Access Road. The basic issue is to record a locale that is close (in the GPSr sense) to all lanes. I wonder if maybe two POIs are needed, one for westbound and one for eastbound.

Dreamer of Pictures

First re the amount - under the description block (which appears immediately after the name) I have input an effective date of the toll information. Intent is as it is updated, I will update the file - sort of! Where I either do not have the information (shown as $?) or the toll changes throughout the day (shown under dscn section as indicated above and in file as $Chg). Note any Tolls I can show are for standard autos only.

Second re the E/W or N/S issue where the toll booth is one wide plaze I'm hopeful we have only one co-ord and that from near the middle (needs to be checked in person not via google or map?). Where there are two distinct booths (I.e. at each end of a bridge or tunnel) then there are two separate co-ords and the indication Eb, Wb, Nb or Sb.

As an additional note I've shown Toll Plazas and booths stretching across the road at a proximity of 1.2mi (2000m) and only .6mi (1000m) when the toll is on an entrance or exit ramp.

If this works then I'll use it for all tolls, bridges etc. which is my ultimate goal!!

BTW speed limits would apply to ALL tolls and only stops talking/ringing once you are below the threshold speed whereas the distance warning is less intrusive but still very visible.

I am putting separate points in for east and west.

This is required.

If I put the point in the middle, which would be the Dulles Access Road, the alerts won't go off if I am following a route along the Toll Road lanes.

no sweat. The person on the ground makes the best decision of one two or more points!! You make an intersting point as how do you tackle HOV lanes if they are separate.