Is there a GPS device that tells you where there are evacuation routes and emergency shelters?
GPS
joshua_ryan27 asked:
I was wondering if anyone knows of any GPS devices that can tell you in real-time during emergencies and/or disasters where the safe evacuation routes and emergency shelters are located?
I was wondering if anyone knows of any GPS devices that can tell you in real-time during emergencies and/or disasters where the safe evacuation routes and emergency shelters are located?
Thanks!
Victor
November 2nd, 2008 at 7:41 pm
Most likely just the ones that come with the vehicle from the factory might be able to do what you are asking.
November 5th, 2008 at 8:03 pm
Some of them advertise “real time” traffic info so I would imagine that would cover it.
November 9th, 2008 at 12:54 am
” I was wondering if anyone knows of any GPS devices that can tell you in real-time during emergencies and/or disasters where the safe evacuation routes and emergency shelters are located?”
To the best of my knowledge, there is NO GPS devices currently that offer real-time emergencies/disasters evacuation routes or information of emergency shelters.
This does not mean you can’t make your own route and plans.
Some GPS system will allow you to store certain routes you prefer and use it when you feel necessary.
This does not mean that the routes you have planned could be the most efficient routes during an emergency evacuation.
Real Time traffic could help but it only offers alternative surface street routes which I would bet would also be packed.
Best way is to have your GPS ready and when and if you need it, it will reroute you if you chose to drive a different direction than the route it has suggested.
As far as emergency shelters goes, it is easy, just contact your local government agency and ask for the address of all the emergency shelters near you and input them in your GPS address book or favorites.
I would bet most schools, libraries, convention centers etc would be a good place to go in an emergency.
Problem is the streets and shelters in major cities are not design to accommodate everyone and during an emergency, even the best GPS is not going to get you around or out of the city traffic jams, it maybe good if you are heading out of town or if you are in a rural area.
It is a great question and I bet sooner or later someone will come up with a program that will allow evacuation routes and emergency shelters information, but for now, the demand is not enough to justify the cost of adding such features.
If you wish to try to input your own emergency evacuation routes or see how well a GPS function during those conditions, you can rent a GPS from GPS4Rent to try without the need of committing to a certain model, find the model that fit your needs best and than take the plunge and buy one from Auto Nav 2000 Plus, Inc.