google maps Archives - Stop and Move

Categories : Fresno TransitTags : bus bus tracking downtown fresno FAX fresno fresno area express google maps real time info the QLeave a comment

Live bus arrival times now available in Fresno (FAX)!

On February 9, 2018October 27, 2019 By jamesinclair

Paris got real-time bus tracking in 1996. In the United States, NextBus launched in Emeryville in 1999. In the Central Valley, tiny Visalia adopted the technology in 2011.

And now in 2018, finally, Fresno’s bus system has real-time bus tracking!

This is incredibly important because it makes riding the bus predictable. No more standing in the heat wondering if your bus is late…or if it came early and you missed it!

As far as I can tell, they haven’t advertised this feature. No press release, nothing on the website. I didn’t even notice it myself, but it was pointed out to me by Joe in the comments. Thanks Joe! Click to read more!

Categories : Clovis Fresno HousingTags : aerial Clovis construction downtown fresno google earth google maps google maps imagery update high speed rail sprawl9 Comments

New Google satellite imagery for Fresno! (Fall 2017)

On January 11, 2018November 18, 2019 By jamesinclair

Posting updates about Google Maps satellite imagery in the Fresno region used to be a frequent topic on this blog. Thanks to the lack of clouds for half the year, Fresno was lucky in that new images were posted about twice a year, compared to some more populated area that only got an update every other year – or even less frequently. Basically, to provide the images, a satellite has to take hundreds of pictures, and then they are all blended together automatically to reveal a seamless image without clouds in the way. Since Fresno has so many clear days, it’s much easier to get the shots. Click to read more!

Categories : Retail UncategorizedTags : areas of interest Clovis downtown fresno fresno google maps strip mall target walmartLeave a comment

Google Maps Launches Areas of Interest – How Accurate is it in Fresno?

On August 9, 2016November 18, 2019 By jamesinclair

A week or so ago, Google refreshed their maps service. Most of the changes were minor – new road outlines, a different typography, and a few other minor tweaks designed to make the maps easier to understand. However, as part of that update, they introduced what could be a major new feature: areas of interest.

These areas of interest are determined algorithmically, using an
automated process to pick out areas with the most stores, restaurants,
or bars, but Google says it’s also using a “human touch” in high-density
areas — like New York City — to point people to the coolest locations.
The Verge Click to read more!

Categories : UncategorizedTags : Clovis fresno google earth google maps google maps imagery update imagery satellite7 Comments

New Google satellite imagery for Fresno! (April 2014)

On June 2, 2014February 19, 2018 By jamesinclair

Another year, another batch of fresh satellite pictures from Google, and these were uploaded surprisingly fast. The latest set of images viewable in Google Maps or Google Earth was taken on April 5, 2014. The older imagery was from March 15, 2013. Before late 2013, the images were from August 2012.

Remember that is this referring to the top-down pictures taken by satellites, not the 45 degree imagery taken by airplane, which is still many years old.

The bright sun and cloudless skies make Fresno an easy market for annual updates. Some major cities around the country only get updates every 3-4 years, and some global cities are still looking at images 5 or more years old. Click to read more!

Categories : UncategorizedTags : bike trail Clovis clovis commons el paseo fresno fresno high google maps google maps imagery update gv urban millerton Millerton new town old town trail wal-mart walmartLeave a comment

New Google satellite imagery for Fresno! (Spring 2013)

On September 29, 2013February 19, 2018 By jamesinclair

Some parts of the country, including major cities like Boston, only get updated satellite imagery from Google every 3 or so years.

For Fresno, it’s never more than a year before we get the freshest pictures. The latest update, rolled out last week, shows Fresno and the surrounding area as of March 15, 2013.

The previous update, pushed out November of 2012, featured images from August 26, 2012. I did a photo summary of that as well.

That’s less than 7 months between updates! Older images are still accessible via the history slider in Google Earth.

These updates are a great way to follow development in the area, and see how fast some areas are still growing. Click to read more!

Categories : UncategorizedTags : distracted driving driving google google maps phone app waze1 Comment

Is Google betting $1bn that you’ll use your phone while driving?

On June 12, 2013February 19, 2018 By jamesinclair

The tech world was lit up yesterday by Google’s $1 billion (with a b!) purchase of an Israeli app company called Waze.

Never heard of them? I hadn’t either. But what the company does is run a phone application that is supposed to save you time on your driving trips. What it does is combine GPS map information with real-time updates by users.

Think of Waze as the “wisdom of crowds” meets digital maps. “Join
other drivers in your area who share real-time traffic and road info,
saving everyone time and gas money on their daily commute,” Waze says
on its website. The goal? “To outsmart traffic and get everyone the
best route to work and back, every day.” Waze users receive mobile
alerts about traffic hazards based on their location Time Magazine. Click to read more!

Categories : UncategorizedTags : 180 expansion fresno aerial fulton village google maps google maps fresno google maps imagery update gvurban Millerton new town pedestrians sprawl walmartLeave a comment

A satellite view of what’s new in Fresno

On December 2, 2012February 19, 2018 By jamesinclair

Two weeks ago, Google refreshed their satellite imagery of the Fresno region with pictures taken on August 26, 2012, replacing what was seen on April 25, 2011.

Here’s a brief tour of the more significant changes in that year and a half. Some good, some bad. There’s a good amount of positive changes downtown, but many not so good changes on the urban edge.

I’m providing a link to the map, if you want to explore the area on your own, and also when relevant, a post I may have written on the subject.

NOTE: Google keeps defaulting to the 45 degree view, which is old, from 2010. On the right, hover over the map button and then click 45 to disable that and see the most recent images. On the other hand, this gives you a quick way to compare the changes. Click to read more!

Categories : UncategorizedTags : 2012 fresno google google maps google maps imagery update satellite summerLeave a comment

New Google satellite imagery for Fresno (summer 2012)

On November 16, 2012February 19, 2018 By jamesinclair

Google has just pushed out updated satellite coverage of the Fresno area on Google Maps. This happened in the past 24 hours, because just yesterday I coincidentally booted up Google Earth to see if a secret update was available (one not shown on Maps). Nothing was there, and yet today when looking up something completely unrelated, I noticed a roundabout that wasn’t in the last update…meaning brand new recent pictures. The roundabout caught my eye because a couple of months ago someone emailed me to let me know it was being built. I’ll write about that in the near future.

The imagery updated today was taken on August 26, 2012. That’s pretty damn recent for Google. There’s a lengthy turnaround time from when the images are taken because of all the processing and such required to make sure all the pictures line up perfectly, and there are no clouds or shadows. Click to read more!

Categories : UncategorizedTags : bike commute california classic weekend google maps ibikefresno million mile tour of californiaLeave a comment

Fresno Bike Month Activities

On May 2, 2012February 19, 2018 By jamesinclair

It is Bike Month, and there are a few exciting bike-related activities going on, one of which includes lots of free stuff. We may have ended April with some negative bike news but even that can be changed (maybe). Let’s use bike month to push Fresno and Clovis to make cycling better for everyone. Besides the three events that are scheduled below, I’ll try and finish my series on bike commuting here in the valley over the course of the month.

Let me start off with the item that has prizes, because that’s probably the most exciting bit.

Ibikefresno is once again hosting the million mile challenge. How it works is super simple. You visit their website, and then register in the top right corner. You then set a goal for how many miles you think you can ride in May. The goal itself doesn’t matter – it’s all for you. If you never ride your bike, set something like 5 miles, and you may be surprised when you hit it. Don’t let the road racers with their 1,000 mile goals scare you off, it’s all about personal achievement. Click to read more!

Categories : UncategorizedTags : brt changes FAX fresno area express Fresno area express FAX fail google mapsLeave a comment

A further look at FAX route changes

On February 14, 2012February 19, 2018 By jamesinclair

Last week I talked about how FAX is proposing route changes. Still no info on a timeline, public comment etc, but here are some maps showing the rest of the existing routes and the proposed changes. While mapping out these changes, it really hit me how incompetent the FAX routes are at serving destinations and balancing the routes.

The FAX route system seems to have been designed in the 1950’s, and yet here we are, with proposals that do nothing to address some of the major failings.

In the last post, I highlighted the changes coming to routes 26 and 39, which would switch off on areas covered. I noted that these changes would probably help balance operations, but not necessarily help out riders. The changes would not include an increase or decrease in area served, time of service of frequency. Click to read more!