Walking directions from Google

Google Maps has introduced its walking directions--currently in Beta.  When you select directions you are given the choice in a drop-down menu of "By car" or "Walking."

Google has taken on a gargantuan task, in my opinion. The enormous number of shortcuts available to savvy walkers is virtually infinite: plazas, alleys, cut-through buildings, pathways, etc.  Then there is the opposite problem--places where a map indicates a street or road, but that would be either impossible or unsafe to walk.  How they will sort that all out is going to be interesting to watch.

For instance, I tested out the directions from my house to the Ballston Mall (I live just off I-66 about a mile east of the East Falls Church metro).  The shortest and most pleasant way for me to get there on foot (or bike) is on the Custis trail, but Google Maps doesn't know the Custis Trail exists, so it routed me along Washington Blvd., adding about 1/2 mile to the distance.  Maps.ask.com, which also provides walking directions also did not indicate the trail.

I think this is a great idea, though, and I hope Google and ask.com are successful at making this service accurate and useful.  Try it out for yourself.
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Steve Offutt just purchased a new pair of sandals for walking.

Comments

[Janet]

What I'd love is for Google Maps or Mapquest to recognize Beach Drive and Rock Creek Parkway as the best way to get in and out of the city on a north-south axis. Also, in terms of walking, I don't think Google has totally worked out the fact that just because there's a one-way street doesn't mean it's not available for walking.

Definitely a step in the right direction (no pun intended), but quite a few glitches to knock out.

[Melissa]

At least they warn you to "[u]se caution – [t]his route may be missing sidewalks or pedestrian paths," since asking for directions from Court House to a friend's Georgetown office put me on the Whitehurst Freeway on foot.

I think a great idea would be to have people who use the service rate the directions with an explanation as to why this is or is not a viable pedestrian route; then have it reviewed if directions in a certain area continues to receive bad ratings.