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Ordnance Survey Dont Blame Us For SatNav Map Issues


Article by: Darren Griffin
Date: 16 Jun 2011

pocketgpsworld.com
The Ordnance Survey have used a blog post here to respond to some of the most common complaints about satnav mapping and to explain their involvement in the map data business.

The blog post covers a number of problems and explains that whilst the OS supply some of the underlying map data, the routing data is often specific to the companies that author the resulting satnav maps, in most cases Navteq and TomTom Maps (formerly Tele Atlas).

In the case of HGV's becoming stranded down narrow lanes, they place the blame firmly in the hands of the drivers who rely on products designed for car users only.

It's an interesting topic albeit only touching on the biggest complaint of all, map currency. The map authors have repeatedly claimed that the time between data acquisition and availability in published maps has been reducing year on year. So why do we continue to receive examples of errors that have existed for years without correction or new roads that remain unmapped?

Our forums were recently abuzz following replies from TeleAtlas. Forum members were receiving replies to errors submitted 3 or 4 years previously. The delay alone is maddening enough but in a number of cases the emails claimed no error had been found despite adamant complaints to the contrary.

You can read the OS Blog Post here.


Comments
Posted by Privateer on Thu Jun 16, 2011 10:10 am Reply with quote

I have little sympathy for Ordnance Survey. As a government agency they are funded by the UK government, therefore they are funded by our taxes. Unfortunately the OS used to (and probably still do) charge the earth for electronic map data, where as I believe the US equivalent provides electronic map data either for free or at affordable rates.

As an example, Bo Beep and I like to visit the Channel Islands and in particular Jersey on a regular basis. Ordnance Survey have had paper maps and electronic map data of Jersey for a long time, yet SatNavs had to wait until Navteq and Tele Atlas actually visited the islands and physically map them before data was available for SatNavs to use.

Regards,


Robert.
iPhone 6s Plus, iOS 14.0.1: iOS CamerAlert v2.0.7
TomTom GO Mobile iOS 2.3.1; TomTom (UK & ROI and Europe) iOS apps v1.29
Garmin Camper 770 LMT-D

 
Posted by Darren on Thu Jun 16, 2011 10:22 am Reply with quote

You can't have it both ways. OS is a Govt Agency but is a positive net contributor and is not subsidised. It's map licence fees pay of the data collection and the running of the agency.

I'd far rather those who used the data paid for it than have every tax payer in the country burdened with their costs so that a few of us could have free data.


Darren Griffin

 
Posted by MaFt on Thu Jun 16, 2011 12:06 pm Reply with quote

I thought OS had made some data available for free anyway?!

Anyway, we're almost going off topic...!

MaFt


 
Posted by Wazza_G on Thu Jun 16, 2011 2:58 pm Reply with quote

Better still, why not get OS to develop Sat-Navs & then at least we'll know that the data will be pretty accurate & it would bring in a nice revenue stream.

Oops. So sorry, I've just had a sensible idea. Embarassed


Be alert.. This country needs more lerts.

 
Posted by sadgeek on Fri Jun 17, 2011 8:27 am Reply with quote

Sorry Privateer, but I disagree with you.

Yes the OS is a government agency, but I don't see why TomTom/Garmin should get free access to the data that has been collected with my taxes just so they can sell it back to me again for a huge profit to themselves. Effectively I'd end up paying twice for the data (once for the collection then again when TT decide to update their maps & charge me accordingly).

Don't fool yourself into thinking that if the data was free then the cost of maps would come down too - it's all £££ to them.


 
Posted by Bishopstrow on Fri Jun 17, 2011 8:38 am Reply with quote

Darren is correct, OS is a government agency, but it receives NO funding at all from the British taxpayer via the government, all of it's revenue comes from licensing and the sale of map services.

The detail and resource that OS put into building and maintaining accurate mapping of the UK really doesn't get seen by 99% of the population, it's certainly no light undertaking and I can see where their frustration lies, the same as mine when they work to produce and keep maps as current as possible, yet the satnavs lag behind generations of maps before changes appear in the car.

I have no vested interest in OS, except I used to consult for them on various projects, and know their standards and expectations.


 
Posted by Guivre46 on Fri Jun 17, 2011 12:48 pm Reply with quote

If I pay £11 for a new UK road map, am I buying the publisher's version of the road network, or an OS based version? If the latter, presumably some percentage is payment for a licence to use the information. If this is the case the sum does not seem that large - so why not pay it as part of the price of purchasing TA/TT or Navteq maps?


Mike R [aka Wyvern46]
Go 530T - unsupported
Go550 Live [not renewed]
Kia In-dash Tomtom

 
Posted by andycabs on Sat Jun 18, 2011 5:51 am Reply with quote

I drive a Taxi in Canterbury. I have used a Tom Tom GO 910 for many years.

The map updates I pay for have never included many new roads, this was very apparent in the latest update last month, some roads as old as 4 years were still not included, but were present in the Iphone App "Navfree".

TT's response to my complaint so far has been that they do not use "open source maps" as used with Navfree...but use Teleatlas. They asked me to provide details of the roads they missed.

My reply to them was a little robust-why should I be doing the job that I pay them to do? I rely on the accuracy of their maps to locate roads out of my area. After paying for this service I do not expect to only find some roads on this free app on my Iphone.

I do not think it unreasonable to expect their mapping company to have roads that have been there several years...I await response now I have the latest map update from TT still without many roads and have complained again to them


 
Posted by yladnhoj on Thu Jun 23, 2011 12:10 pm Reply with quote

I'm not convinced OS are as good as they like to think! On the one hand there is a new (side) road in my area which is shown on OS maps but is not included yet by TomTom. On the other hand the new (quite complicated) junction between the A52 and the A46 is yet to appear on the OS maps and is marked on them as 'opening late 2011' despite having been in use for several months already. Also I recently came across the closure of a gap in the dual cariageway which is yet to be picked up by OS. A 'no right turn' at the junction of two major roads has yet to be picked up by TomTom despite having been existence for several years! On balance OS is probably better than TomTom but both could improve.


 
Posted by andycabs on Thu Jun 23, 2011 12:57 pm Reply with quote

yladnhoj Wrote:
I'm not convinced OS are as good as they like to think! On the one hand there is a new (side) road in my area which is shown on OS maps but is not included yet by TomTom. On the other hand the new (quite complicated) junction between the A52 and the A46 is yet to appear on the OS maps and is marked on them as 'opening late 2011' despite having been in use for several months already. Also I recently came across the closure of a gap in the dual cariageway which is yet to be picked up by OS. A 'no right turn' at the junction of two major roads has yet to be picked up by TomTom despite having been existence for several years! On balance OS is probably better than TomTom but both could improve.


I have received all replies from Tomtom and their cavalier arrogance is startling! They tell me that the Mapping firm "Tele Atlas" has updated my 910 to the latest UK and Ireland map? All they can suggest to me is that I submit to Tele atlas all the new roads I am aware of. To do so would involve considerable effort on my part, I have a long list of new local roads some as old as 4 years. I remain of the view that it should not be me as the customer to do their job for them...I pay substantially for them to provide an up to date mapping.

If there are so many missing locally that I know of; I have scant confidence should I need to find a particular road in another area using the Tom tom device. If this happens, and it does often, I use the free App on my iphone of open source "Navfree" and this has always had the information I require.

Despite the splendid navigation of the Tomtom device with all its whistles and bells I have now concluded that its basic maps are pretty useless, when it needs replacing I shall be looking for another manufacturer that provides reliable up to date mapping and may give a little more considered response to any customer complaints.


 
Posted by Andy_P on Thu Jun 23, 2011 1:17 pm Reply with quote

andycabs Wrote:
I shall be looking for another manufacturer that provides reliable up to date mapping and may give a little more considered response to any customer complaints.


There aren't many pnds that can use open source mapping.
So basically you've got a choice between units that use TeleAtlas and those that use Navteq maps.
You'll find there are almost as many complaints about Navteq if you browse the web forums.


"Settling in nicely" ;-)

 
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