Rotary direction prompt

[makaiguy]

I live in the US. Rotary/roundabouts here are entered by turning to the right (i.e. travel the rotary in a counter-clockwise direction).

When approaching a rotary where the desired route requires driving 3/4 of the way around the rotary (in effect using the rotary to execute a left turn) the voice prompt says to take the rotary to the left (or words to that effect).

This could be a major safety problem if one followed the instructions literally and turned left onto the rotary instead of the required right turn.

How do I go about getting this fixed?

 

[dhn]

Welcome to TTF.

Can you change the result by using Mapshare to make the rotary 1-way counter-clockwise?

 

[makaiguy]

Already tried that. It already recognizes that a rotary is one-way in the correct direction, and further will not allow it to be changed.

I failed to mention before, the graphical representation shows travel in the proper direction; the problem is with the verbal prompt as one approaches the rotary.

I'm not so much concerned with patching my own unit as I am getting a system fix by TomTom. I can imagine some doofus (or visiting Brit who is used to clockwise rotaries) blindly following the prompt and going the wrong way on the rotary.

[Edited to add:] Have encountered this on multiple rotaries so i think it is an algorithm problem rather than specific map data. It seems to be recognizing that the overall result is a left turn, but fails to recognize that this is going to be accomplished via a rotary when issuing the verbal prompt.

 

[canderson]

That's really odd. I'm in the US, too, and my TT always advises me to take the nth right (1st right, 2nd right, 3rd right), even when the net result is a "left turn" (3rd right on a normal style rotary). I'll try to pay more attention to this, but I don't recall the word "left" ever being brought into the equation when I'm approaching or in a rotary.

 

[dhn]

A weird thought.........wonder what voice the OP has selected? It couldn't be that a British voice would do that, would it?

 

[makaiguy]

A weird thought.........wonder what voice the OP has selected? It couldn't be that a British voice would do that, would it?

Interesting thought, but I'm using "Susan, US, Computer".

The prompt is as one APPROACHES the rotary. "In [fraction] mile, go left on rotary, 3rd exit". Then again, just at the entrance to the rotary "Go left on rotary, 3rd exit".

The graphics show traversing the rotary in the correct direction and exiting correctly.

While on the rotary, when reaching the desired exit it says "Take the exit, [street name]".

If going straight across the rotary and exiting the other side, the approach prompt says "Go across the rotary, take the 2nd exit".

BTW: XXL 530M, USA_Canada_and_Mexico_P, v860.3121

 

[makaiguy]

No change with map 865.

When approaching the rotary, you're instructed to go right / go across / go left on the rotary, depending on how far around the rotary your planned route takes you.

To recap, I'm concerned about the "go left" directive that if taken literally would result in driving in the wrong direction on the rotary.

This is with an XXL530M, software version 9.053. Am I the only one getting this?

I've found this is easy to test right here in my living room by setting a navigation route through a rotary and running a route demo at a slow enough rate that the verbal prompts are played.

 

[Thom]

Hmmm, I don't do many rotary's but I could swear mine says "Take the rotary 3rd exit" (for a standard 4 way intersection left turn) when I go to my cousins house that has one in the development entrance.

 

[makaiguy]

Yes, it says go right/across/left on the rotary, first/second/third exit.

I have two rotaries near home that I go through several times a day, but I always either am going straight out the far side, or taking the first exit, so I never noticed this.

My first use of the GPS for a trip was to Hilton Head Island, where there are a number of rotaries where occasionally I'd need the third exit, so I noticed this right away. The major ones have lanes and dividers that pretty much force you to enter the rotary in the correct direction. But lesser ones just bring you up to the rotaries without this lane guidance so that you could easily turn the wrong way if you don't know what you're doing, or are not paying attention. Telling the driver to "go left on the rotary, third exit" could lead to disaster.

I really think it should tell you to "go right" for ALL rotaries, and then tell what number exit to take.

I hope some of you readers will determine what your units actually tell you, instead of relying on what you think it says from memory, because it is quite possible that you just may never have noticed this. The graphical display shows things correctly, so it would be very easy to just overlook what the verbal prompt actually says.

 

[Rick F.]

We don't have a lot of rotaries here in S. FL, but I see a few. The one I go through at least once a week says, "Take the 2nd right after the rotary" (or something similar). The other day at another rotary where it wanted me to take the 3rd right, it said, "Go left on the rotary..." (and maybe mentioned 3rd turn turn but don't recall).
Don't know if it's really a safety issue as the GPS is a help aid. We still have to follow the rules of the road where there are signs saying one-way or keep to the right.

 

[Thom]

I just checked on my Rider 2 and heard it read both ways.

The first time it said:
"Go Right on the rotary 3rd exit."
the second time I heard:
"Go Left on the rotary 3rd exit."
(these were both through TTHome with teh latest map installed.)

I'm not sure if it had to do with the direction I had it turning from the command just prior to the rotary (one was a left( - next command left on the...) the other a right( - next command right on the...)), but I now see that what you're saying does happen.

 

[makaiguy]

Thanks for checking this, guys. It sounds like thi is not limited to my unit or my model. It tells you to go right/across/left on the rotary acording to the direction you are going to exit the rotary, but telling someone to "go left" on a N American counter-clockwise rotary is just plain wrong.

I have two rotaries I go through daily just outside my housing development. In the 5 years I've been here I've probably seen a dozen people go the wrong way on these rotaries. TELLING people to go in the wrong direction is unforgiveable, imho.

But now that it's confirmed this is widespread performnce, I'll quit bugging everyone here and take this to Tomtom. I'd not want to be the lawyer trying to defend them if someone follows the direction to "go left on rotary" and has a head-on accident that kills someone.

 

[pfhorce]

An error that most certainly should be reported to TomTom...On another note... a Navigational Aid with a driver responsibility agreement before use vs. DOT directional signs and a driver not paying full visual attention to safe driving rules on public roads that causes an accident where someone loses there life = probable vehicular manslaughter out come...case closed in my opinion. The driver is in control of the vehicle not the navigational unit. Common sense and safe driving practices avoid accidents not navigational units! Sorry if I sound dis-concerned as to the inaccuracy issue, but I am concerned at the issue as to someone blaming their mistakes on a machine...This is just the opinion of a fellow driver trying to make it safely to my destination on today's busy roads.

 

[widescreenforever]

My rotararies here in BC show on the map the arrow I am travelling to go around to the right and then hang a large Left turn at the top of the rotary .. Voice says to keep to the right and then left in 100 meters ... etc ...

 

[Andy_P]

Thanks for checking this, guys. It sounds like thi is not limited to my unit or my model. It tells you to go right/across/left on the rotary acording to the direction you are going to exit the rotary, but telling someone to "go left" on a N American counter-clockwise rotary is just plain wrong.

I'm afraid I have to disagree.
Anyone who is capable and fit to drive, should KNOW how to drive round a roundabout or rotary.
The TT is a navigation assistant and that's all it is. If you start letting it tell you how to drive, you're asking for trouble.

In addition, suggesting to someone that they should "go left" or "go right" on a roundabout, is normal day to day speech in the UK. Do people not say that in the US? If not, how do they say it?

 

[canderson]

I'm afraid I have to disagree.
Anyone who is capable and fit to drive, should KNOW how to drive round a roundabout or rotary.
The TT is a navigation assistant and that's all it is. If you start letting it tell you how to drive, you're asking for trouble.

In addition, suggesting to someone that they should "go left" or "go right" on a roundabout, is normal day to day speech in the UK. Do people not say that in the US? If not, how do they say it?

Well - first, we call one of these either a "rotary" or a "traffic circle". It's a roundabout way of saying the thing is round

Here, while one always stays to the right while driving, the net effect of "going left" on a rotary is the same as making a left turn - and that's what the TomTom is trying to get across. To those who don't seem to appreciate that way of looking at it, I'd ask ...

When told to make a left turn, do you make it from the oncoming traffic lane? Of course not.

My TomTom is providing the net result of the maneuver with its directional information, and a reminder that a traffic circle / rotary / roundabout is part of the process of doing it.

 

[Andy_P]

My TomTom is providing the net result of the maneuver with its directional information, and a reminder that a traffic circle / rotary / roundabout is part of the process of doing it.

So I think we're agreeing, aren't we?

The TomTom is telling you that you will be going "leftward" or "rightward" and reminding you that you will be going round a rotary/roundabout (in the normal way!) to achieve it.

 

[canderson]

So I think we're agreeing, aren't we?

The TomTom is telling you that you will be going "leftward" or "rightward" and reminding you that you will be going round a rotary/roundabout (in the normal way!) to achieve it.

Exactly. The only difference is that YOU guys go round it the wrong way!

 

[Thom]

Exactly. The only difference is that YOU guys go round it the wrong way!

you forgot to add... We go around the Right way...

 

[canderson]

you forgot to add... We go around the right way...

q.e.d.