Google recently unveiled a new feature on it’s Google Map application.  It allows you to figure out walking directions to a destination.  It’s still in the beta phase.  Here’s what one person has to say about the new feature.

I just tried putting in directions from my house to my work and it basically showed what I do.  But what Google Maps doesn’t show are the back routes I can take that cut time off my walk.  For example, there is a sidewalk behind a bunch of houses on Liberty that I take that gets me on Liberty faster than taking a major street.  Google maps doesn’t know that.

I am glad to have an extra tool, but it seems to have some of the same flaws I’ve seen in Google Transit.  It’s just not a human being with intimate knowledge of the area.  So like Google Transit, the walking function can give you a way to get to your location by walking, it just might not be the best or fastest way.

I just wish that Google would have some way for users to provide feedback to the program so that we could comment on things like “Actually, you can get there using this street” or “This route actually makes more sense”.  I’d just like the program to learn from its mistakes rather than repeat them.

All in all, it’s nice to have these features.  But always remember to check something out first.  And when in doubt, email getDowntown, the AATA, or talk to a friend or co-worker!