Comment
Description:
I would like to suggest a new feature for CoMaps that could significantly enhance the user experience, especially in urban environments. This feature involves displaying nearby parking lots from OpenStreetMap (OSM) data when a destination is set, allowing users to navigate directly to a preferred parking lot if they choose to.
Use Case:
When navigating to a destination in a big city, it's often challenging to find parking. Currently, navigation apps typically announce the arrival at the destination, which can be in the middle of a road or an area without clear parking options. By integrating nearby parking lots into the navigation system, users can select a parking lot close to their destination and navigate directly there, saving time and reducing stress.
Safety Considerations:
- Reduce the need for users to search for parking while driving, which can be distracting and dangerous.
- Minimize the necessity for users to quickly park next to the street to search for parking options, thereby enhancing road safety.
Current Workarounds:
- Users can currently search for parking lots using the
/parkingcommand or simply by searching for "parking" without a slash. - Some users plan their trips in advance by adding markers for parking lots.
Suggested Implementation:
- Parking Lot Data Integration: Utilize OpenStreetMap (OSM) data to integrate a database of parking lots into CoMaps. This should include public parking lots, private parking garages, and street parking areas.
- User Interface Enhancement: When a user sets a destination, provide an option to view nearby parking lots. This could be displayed as icons on the map or as a list that users can choose from.
- Navigation Options: Once a user selects a parking lot, CoMaps should provide navigation directly to the entrance of the parking lot. Additionally, users should have the option to skip parking lot navigation and proceed with traditional navigation to the destination.
- Additional Information: Provide additional information about the parking lots, such as availability, pricing, and operating hours, if available in OSM data.
- Button for Nearby POIs: Add a button to find parking or other points of interest (POIs) near the destination.
- Highlighting Parking Lots: During the search for a destination in car mode, nearby parking lots could be displayed with half-transparency to easily navigate to that location instead.
Benefits:
- Convenience: Users can easily find and navigate to parking lots near their destination.
- Time-Saving: Reduces the time spent searching for parking, especially in unfamiliar areas.
- Stress Reduction: Enhances the overall navigation experience by providing clear parking options.
- Flexibility: Users can choose between navigating to a parking lot or directly to the destination based on their preference.
- Safety: Enhances road safety by reducing the need for users to search for parking while driving or park hastily on the side of the street.
Example:
Imagine you are navigating to a business meeting in a busy city center. Instead of being dropped off in the middle of a street, CoMaps could show you several nearby parking lots from OSM data. You could select one, and the app would navigate you directly to the parking lot entrance, ensuring you arrive on time and without the hassle of finding parking. Alternatively, you could choose to navigate directly to your destination if you prefer.
Additional Notes:
- This feature could be implemented without changes to OSM data by allowing users to select from nearby parking lots.
- Magic Earth, a non-free app based on OSM, has a similar feature, indicating that it is technically possible.
Thank you for considering this feature request. I believe it would be a valuable addition to CoMaps and greatly enhance the user experience.
### Comment
**Description:**
I would like to suggest a new feature for CoMaps that could significantly enhance the user experience, especially in urban environments. This feature involves displaying nearby parking lots from OpenStreetMap (OSM) data when a destination is set, allowing users to navigate directly to a preferred parking lot if they choose to.
**Use Case:**
When navigating to a destination in a big city, it's often challenging to find parking. Currently, navigation apps typically announce the arrival at the destination, which can be in the middle of a road or an area without clear parking options. By integrating nearby parking lots into the navigation system, users can select a parking lot close to their destination and navigate directly there, saving time and reducing stress.
**Safety Considerations:**
- Reduce the need for users to search for parking while driving, which can be distracting and dangerous.
- Minimize the necessity for users to quickly park next to the street to search for parking options, thereby enhancing road safety.
**Current Workarounds:**
- Users can currently search for parking lots using the `/parking` command or simply by searching for "parking" without a slash.
- Some users plan their trips in advance by adding markers for parking lots.
**Suggested Implementation:**
1. **Parking Lot Data Integration:** Utilize OpenStreetMap (OSM) data to integrate a database of parking lots into CoMaps. This should include public parking lots, private parking garages, and street parking areas.
2. **User Interface Enhancement:** When a user sets a destination, provide an option to view nearby parking lots. This could be displayed as icons on the map or as a list that users can choose from.
3. **Navigation Options:** Once a user selects a parking lot, CoMaps should provide navigation directly to the entrance of the parking lot. Additionally, users should have the option to skip parking lot navigation and proceed with traditional navigation to the destination.
4. **Additional Information:** Provide additional information about the parking lots, such as availability, pricing, and operating hours, if available in OSM data.
5. **Button for Nearby POIs:** Add a button to find parking or other points of interest (POIs) near the destination.
6. **Highlighting Parking Lots:** During the search for a destination in car mode, nearby parking lots could be displayed with half-transparency to easily navigate to that location instead.
**Benefits:**
- **Convenience:** Users can easily find and navigate to parking lots near their destination.
- **Time-Saving:** Reduces the time spent searching for parking, especially in unfamiliar areas.
- **Stress Reduction:** Enhances the overall navigation experience by providing clear parking options.
- **Flexibility:** Users can choose between navigating to a parking lot or directly to the destination based on their preference.
- **Safety:** Enhances road safety by reducing the need for users to search for parking while driving or park hastily on the side of the street.
**Example:**
Imagine you are navigating to a business meeting in a busy city center. Instead of being dropped off in the middle of a street, CoMaps could show you several nearby parking lots from OSM data. You could select one, and the app would navigate you directly to the parking lot entrance, ensuring you arrive on time and without the hassle of finding parking. Alternatively, you could choose to navigate directly to your destination if you prefer.
**Additional Notes:**
- This feature could be implemented without changes to OSM data by allowing users to select from nearby parking lots.
- Magic Earth, a non-free app based on OSM, has a similar feature, indicating that it is technically possible.
Thank you for considering this feature request. I believe it would be a valuable addition to CoMaps and greatly enhance the user experience.