Better directions in roundabouts

Suggestion for Ovi Maps for mobile v3.06 (Check in update)

04-03-2011 04:48

In a roundabout we are told directions like "Take the second exit to the right".

But I will guess that over 95% of roundabouts are modified crosses with three or four arms. And in all roundabouts with arms in multipla of approximately 90 degrees, it would be MUCH better with:
"Go Straight ahead in the roundabout"
"Go Right in the roundabout"
"Go Left in the roundabout"

This would handle irregular roundabouts much better.
Both those with fewer arms, with small paths, that might or might not be counted, and similar with blocked arms, you can only guess if are counted or not.

Close to me there are a four-armed roundabout, but due to an error in the data, one arm is registered as blocked.
So to go straight ahead on the main(!) road, you are told to take "the first exit", and are thus led astray on a minor street...

Close to that roundabout, there is three-armed, with one arm permanently blocked (traffic reduction), only leaving two arms(!). To go trough this, OviMaps request to take "the second exit". Doing so would be a U-turn!!

Comments

Submitted by EskeRahn on 04-03-2011 05:13.

...In more complex roundabouts, say one with six arms. You might have a slightly more complex guidance like:
"Go straight ahead by the third exit in the roundabout"
And use right/left for the remaining arms, like
"Go left by the fourth exit in the roundabout"
"Go left by the fifth exit in the roundabout"

You very often have a good intuition on whether you are going straight ahead, or are supposed to turn either right or left. And the above suggestion could help to get the right exit, by checking the screen, if what she says doesn't sound right, and not blindly follow the count.

This can also potentially reduce the risk of 'ghost drivers' on highways!!