Suggestive improvements in navigation system

Suggestive

Improvements

in

Navigation

System

By: Dhawal Singhal

Intro A frequent user of Google Maps or Navigation must have noticed the ratings given to famous public places like multiplexes, cinemas, shopping malls, etc., by the people after having some experience with the respective places.

Dhawal Singhal, December 2014

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Main Idea

Using the same concept, we can develop a

rating system for the routes depending on

how frequently people take them. This will

help the user choose a better of the many

available routes presented by the navigator

for a particular destination.


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Why ?

Many times, especially in countries with densely

populated areas and asymmetric road network,

like India, the routes suggested by the google

maps may point to a entirely different location

(or seems so, due to inaccuracy), or the path

suggested is a high-traffic path.

So, the rating given to the routes(or particular

roads) can help the users in planning their route.


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Example

Let us understand it with a practical

example. During the travel from Chandpur

(Dist. Bijnor) to Delhi via Gajraula, the

traveler generally has to take a path as

indicated in the next slide.


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A Typical Route


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In the map, we notice that the path highlighted in red would be the ideal suggestion in the Google Navigation application, given the source being “Chandpur-Gajraula Road” and Delhi being destination.

But, taking the real time situation of the place, the middle part (after first right turn) of the route is not operational for about an year due to construction of a flyover enroute. So, we must follow an alternate route as shown in the next slide.


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Revised Route


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We can notice that we need to take an alternate route that is in a very different direction specially for someone who is new to the route.

Furthermore, there are no proper sign boards on the road to assist the passersby to take that (revised) route.

As a result, the navigation user faces difficulties and becomes bound to ask local people for guidance, failing the main objective of google navigation.


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Implementation

The ratings can be given by the users in the

same way as they rate other public places.

The rating can be based on the traffic

conditions, road conditions (major aspect in

cities of India), and on their personal

experience and/or preference.


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Implementation

The ratings can also be generated by the

application by tracking the routes people

take most frequently, and a percentage

figure can be used to show the general

preference of taking a particular path.


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Stuck!!

A “Stuck!!” option can be implemented for the

situations where the user find himself stuck or

unable to reach their destination by the path

suggested by the Navigation tool.

Considering the situation mentioned earlier,

regarding the blockage of any road due to

constructions or other reasons, the user can

click on a “Stuck!!” button in navigation tool.


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Stuck!!

This “Stuck!!” generates a signal that there is

something wrong with the proposed route,

and the navigation tool can suggest an

alternate path from that current location.


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Navigation tool can keep a track of these

“stuck” messages and suggest the modified

routes accordingly.

Further, if the previously blocked road is

cleared or a new route is made available,

then the users will automatically give a

better rating to that route than they were

using previously, hence, helping the future

users to select the better path.


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About Me

Dhawal Singhal B.Tech. (IT) 3rd Year

Manipal Institute of Technology,

Manipal.

[email protected]


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