The Issues for TFL - Essay Example

? The Issues for TFL There have been quite a number of challenges facing the transport sector of London. During a few yearsback, TFL, made efforts to publicize transport 2025. This was to take care of the challenges faced by this transport sector. The main challenges were congestion, and missing of flights due to misinformation between the management and the passengers. At this time, TFL also undertook this initiative as a main study on to how transport network in London would be expanded to improve the economic state of the country and efficiency. London being named as the official host of Paralympics and Olympic games, also presented a great challenge to the transport sector of London. Due to the number of people that will use the transport sector and to be in particular, tubes and buses, the transport route must be both effective and efficient. This paper explain how the adoption of Google maps technology in the form of an innovation to make TFL effective and efficient. To work out this, Google maps have been integrated into the transport system. With the implementation of Google maps, there will be saving of time due to excellent organization and information between the transport users and the transport sector. Introduction Google map is a service that involves mapping technology and application by Google, freely that empowers services that are based on maps. It deals in street maps as route planner used by trekkers, public transport and a locator for urban business in many countries. Google maps give high resolution satellite or aerial images in most urban areas. Various countries have complained that terrorists have invaded the use of Google in locating their target sites (Mitchell, 2010). Up to four transportation modes are available in any given area. Like many application of Google web, it makes a great use of java script. As the map is dragged by the users, there is the downloading of the grid squares from the server and into the page. In search of a business by the users, results are then downloaded for insertion at the background into the map and side panel. Locations are dynamically drawn by placing a red pin at the map images top. Google maps can also be customized by the introduction of tools into its interface. Using the map images and core engine can introduce location of customized icons. The grease monkey, an insertion tool, provide scripts on the client side which are large numbers hence data in the Google map is customized. After having a rough idea of implementation of Google maps and their customization, the integration into the transport sector of London can be possible. This is especially in the buses and tubes routes. Advantages and disadvantages of Google maps The main advantage of using Google maps is that it provides a variety of map views that it supplies. These include a view of the terrain, view of satellite image and the normal one and this depend on the user need. According to this paper, the variety can be used in TFL effectively. This is because uses of bus and tubes will be effective as the networking of these two can be viewed by the three viewers. This makes the users to be aware of the position of a particular bus or tube hence efficiency in time. Google map also provides multiple destinations of routes for instance in the transport sector. TFL with the help of Google maps, especially during the time of Olympics, will be vital in essence that there will be the presence of a lot of people and availability of routes to ply on the Google maps in the tools will be of great help (Wilson, 2009). Another advantage is that Google maps provide for simplicity. This is because it is easier and simple for a user to install the Google maps in a gadget as the criteria is very clear. The last advantage is that one can choose a travel type. This implies that, one is in a position to choose which mode of transport to use, buses or tubes. Although, Google maps have advantages, there are also disadvantages that are accompanied by it. The main disadvantage is that it is a zoom feature. This means that the map always zoom at the screens centre which forces the user to cause movement every time there is the need to zoom in. Another con is that the user has to have a gadget that is enabled to take into account its configurations. Development of Google map Google maps initially began as a program that was designed to be downloaded separately by users though the firm that was in charge turned it into a product of web. Later, the company changed ownership, and it transformed to a web application of Google maps. The application initially supported Mozilla and internet explorer browsers though support for safari and opera were added. In 2005, Ride Finders were created by the use of Google maps. With the changes data of satellite image were converted, which distorts less data. Google maps then upgraded to the ability to view flooding extents in various places. In 2006, they were used in road maps. It later added geo coding abilities. In 2007, upgrading of local results was done, and inclusive of data in the Google page. Then the Google traffic was launched to take care of the traffic flow. The Google results then rolled out universally. It then made an addition in the business sector on engaging coupons interface. In 2008, it gave in for refined searches by neighborhood and user ratings. In 2009, there was an introduction of a new map logo. In the succeeding year, map maker made an additive in the Google maps. This transformation of Google maps has led to a number of benefits. For instance with the implementation of it in the transport line has enabled the detection of buses and tubes in their specific destinations and because of this it has led to saving of time (Ben, 2011). Conclusion From the discussion above, the use of Google maps can be of great essence as its implementation in TFL has a number of benefits. For instance, the map viewers together with the route maps provide for exact destination of buses and tubes. This leads to saving a lot of time and services of TFL will be very effective and efficient. The implication is that there will be free flow of traffic, and no congestion in the streets of London. Paralympics and Olympic games will operate smoothly, due to the flow of networks in London. Lastly, efficiency and effectiveness leads to development in its economy. Bibliography Anon., 1970. 45° Imagery on Google Maps – Google Maps. [Online] Available at: Maps.google.com [Accessed 08 March 2012]. Anon., 2009. Transport for London boards the mash-up bandwagon. [Online] [Accessed 08 March 2012]. Anon., 2010. Fun on the Autobahn: Google Maps Navigation in 11 more Countries. [Online] Available at: Googlemobile.blogspot.com [Accessed 8 March 2012]. Anon., n.d. About Google Maps. [Online] Available at: Google.com [Accessed 08 March 2012]. Anon., n.d. Google Maps for mobile announce Navigation Beta for Android 2.0. [Online] Available at: Gsmarena.com [Accessed 08 March 2012]. Anon., n.d. Google Moon. [Online] Available at: Moon.google.com. [Accessed 12 January 2010]. Anon., n.d. Intelligent Systems Division | Project. [Online] Available at: Ti.arc.nasa.gov [Accessed 08 March 2012]. Ben, W., 2011. Google Maps puts Londoners on the right track. [Online] Available at: http://www.zdnet.co.uk/blogs/tech-tech-boom-10017860/google-maps-puts-londoners-on-the-right-track-10023724/ [Accessed 08 March 2012]. Mitchell, T., 2010. Google LatLong: Introducing Google Maps Labs, your passport to a world of new features. [Online] Available at: Google-latlong.blogspot.com [Accessed 08 March 2012]. Wilson, R., 2009. Google LatLong: Changing your perspective. [Online] Available at: Google-latlong.blogspot.com [Accessed 8 March 2012]. Read More