In Autumn 2009 I received some complaints about inaccuracies in Google online maps of Dundee Road in Broughty Ferry. When residents like me checked our addresses on Google Maps, up came a map with Brook Street apparently extending past our front doors. No wonder drivers seeking directions on their sat navs or making deliveries were confused.
In October 2009, I contacted Tele Atlas who produce maps for Google Maps and many Sat Nav sytems to let them know that there was this error on their mapping in central Broughty Ferry.
When word about this appeared in the local press, some Councillors joked about whether I could find my way home after Council meetings without my sat nav. One Broughty Councillor even invited me to drive behind his car so he might guide me back to Broughty Ferry.
Behind the jokes however there is a serious issue. So many of us rely on satellite navigation and online maps that when they contain inaccuracies this can have significant consequences such as getting lost or deliveries going astray.
'Based on a review of your report, we can now confirm that the change you suggested has been made. It will go out in the next release of our map database. .... Thanks again for your willingness to help keep Tele Atlas maps up-to-date and accurate!'
They did however explain that:
'Tele Atlas supplies maps to the companies that make devices or applications, not directly to the people who use them. We update the map we supply, so these companies can incorporate the map update in their own systems. When this process is complete, your change will be made available to you.'
So I was very pleased in May this year when I received news from Tele Atlas confirming that:
They did however explain that:
'Tele Atlas supplies maps to the companies that make devices or applications, not directly to the people who use them. We update the map we supply, so these companies can incorporate the map update in their own systems. When this process is complete, your change will be made available to you.'
After checking from time to time to see if the change had appeared online, I was delighted just before Christmas when I found that Google Maps had at last been updated.
If any other residents in The Ferry are experiencing difficulties with errors in online mapping in their area, they can contact me and I should be happy to take this up for them and I guarantee I won't treat it as a joke.
If any other residents in The Ferry are experiencing difficulties with errors in online mapping in their area, they can contact me and I should be happy to take this up for them and I guarantee I won't treat it as a joke.
