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Taxi Drivers Better Not to Use GPS
posted by Satri
on Wednesday August 16, @08:19AM
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from the but-can-they-use-maps? dept.
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from the but-can-they-use-maps? dept.
All Points Blog links to a CNET article claiming London taxi drivers are better without the use of GPS in order to pass the "The Knowledge", the world's toughest taxi exam. From the article: ""Regardless of the salesmen's hype about these machines they cannot match the knowledge and experience of a good cabbie," Oddy said. [...] Scientists found London taxi drivers have a larger hippocampus, the part of the brain associated with navigation, than other people."
Related Stories
NYC Cabbies Say No to onboard GPS 1 comment
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InformationWeek has a small article about taxis in NYC refusing to use GPS. From the article: Drivers say they don't want to be tracked and do not need the expense (estimates range from $3,000 to $5,000 per vehicle) of installation. They also claim the devices could be used to monitor speeding and other activities, violating their rights.
Tracking Taxis in Space and Time for San Francisco
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The JAGIS-L mailing list introduces Cabspotting.org, a space and time cab tracker for the San Francisco area, beautifully presenting information. From the Timelapse project: "Viewed over time, the routes taken by taxis in San Francisco ebb and flow, revealing patterns of movement out of and into downtown and outlying areas. By viewing the Cabspotting data in this way, the city comes alive. The rhythms of commuters, airport arrivals, traffic jams, accidents, and special events become patterns which bear a strange resemblance to circulatory systems in our own bodies."
GPS Satellite Navigation System is Good for Drivers 1 comment
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All Points Blog links to a press release about a survey indicating GPS satellite navigation systems are good for drivers. From the PR: "Key findings:
* The use of a satellite navigation device improves the driver's behavior
when driving through an unknown area to an unknown destination;
* The use of a satellite navigation system heightens alertness and reduces
the stress levels of the driver;
* Drivers who do NOT have the use of a satellite navigation solution have
12% more damage claims to their vehicles;
* The use of a TomTom satellite navigation solution reduces the amount of
miles driven by 16%;
* The use of a TomTom satellite navigation solution reduces travel time
when driving through an unknown area to an unknown destination by 18%;
* The use of a TomTom satellite navigation solution reduces the workload
(the amount of effort it takes the driver to drive) of the driver when
traveling through an unknown area to an unknown destination." The study was done in The Netherlands and you can of course challenge the study's neutrality since it was mandated by the industry.
Technology: New York Taxi Drivers To Strike Over GPS 3 comments
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Slashdot discuss a story about New York taxi drivers to strike over the use of GPS. Their summary: "Stony Stevenson notes a NYTimes story on labor unrest caused by high-tech privacy concerns. One organization of taxi drivers plans a 48-hour strike, while another opposes any such action. "One taxi group plans to strike from 5 a.m. Sept. 5, through 5 a.m. Sept. 7, in opposition to New York City's requirement that all cabs be equipped with GPS technology beginning Oct. 1... saying GPS infringes on drivers' privacy... The Taxi and Limousine Commission passed a rule stating that all New York City cabs must have touch-screen display panels, credit card readers, and GPS beginning this year. Many taxis already are equipped with the technologies, which allow passengers to get news, route data, and other information. The TLC claims that the technology will not be used to invade drivers' privacy but will provide real-time maps and help passengers recover lost property." " Directly related to this previous story, see also other related stories below.
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