Latest news with #RoadWarrior
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
How do you know where not to drive in downtown Rochester?
May 18—Dear Answer Man: Last week, you wrote about some of the big MnDOT projects going on in Southeast Minnesota this year. But what about the road work being done by the city of Rochester? I was driving downtown last week, and it was like heading down the wrong way in a maze. There are more closed roads and detours than I can figure out. How do I stay ahead of this traffic mess? — Rochester Road Warrior. Dear Road Warrior, I feel your driving rage. Last week, I was trying to navigate downtown Rochester and came upon a closed road even the map app on my phone didn't know existed. In my head, I heard the word "Rerouting." C'est la vie. Answer Man's good friend with the city of Rochester, Communications & Engagement Coordinator Megan Moeller, said, "Downtown is undergoing a significant transformation that will benefit everyone who lives, works and visits our city. We're excited about what's ahead and truly appreciate the public's patience during this period of change." That's Megan shining the apple. Her next line is what we're all thinking: "We understand that navigating construction, especially during the busy warm-weather months, can be challenging." Preach the truth, Megan. But she's right. The city isn't tearing up roads for the fun of it. All this is to make for a more enjoyable experience for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles (including mass transit vehicles) down the, ahem, road. Currently, Answer Man counts eight-and-a-half blocks of completely closed roads in downtown Rochester. That includes a Second Avenue Southwest alleyway between West Center Street and Peace Plaza, two blocks of Second Street Southwest from Fourth Avenue to Sixth Avenue, two blocks-plus of Sixth Avenue Southwest from a bit south of Second Street to West Center Street, roughly two blocks of Peace Garden Drive Southwest from 10th Avenue to Marian Circle, Fifth Street Southwest from Fourth Avenue to Sixth Avenue, and nearly a block from Fourth Avenue Southwest from First Street to Second Street. That doesn't include the roughly dozen blocks of streets reduced to a single lane in each direction and intersections of "periodic closure." Challenging, indeed. You might think, "I bet this is all related to that Link Bus Rapid Transit project, right?" Well, not exactly. Much of this has to do with utility infrastructure for Mayo Clinic projects. The Link transit construction comes later this summer when the amount of roadblocks will make today's number of closed roads look quaint. Mayo Clinic and the city are seeking to collaborate so they don't tear up and repairs streets only to tear them up again for additional work. So, how will you get to your favorite downtown restaurant (shameless plug for downtown dining) or even to a Mayo Clinic appointment? Well, the city of Rochester and Mayo Clinic have created websites to help you see what is closed and what detours might exist. The city's website is , where the city offers printable maps and an online in-depth virtual map that can be viewed. Furthermore, Mayo Clinic offers the Rochester Construction Webpage that is designed to help patients navigate to their appointments and features the latest information on parking and drop-offs, suggested routes, road closures and construction across Mayo Clinic's Rochester downtown and Saint Marys campuses. If you're not a daily or even weekly commuter into and our of downtown, you might want to bookmark both of those websites and refer to them when your plans take you downtown. Now, take a deep breath and realize two things: One, like I said, it'll get worse before it gets better, but, two, it will get better, and access to and through downtown will become smoother for everyone. Send questions to Answer Man at answerman@ .
Los Angeles Times
23-03-2025
- Business
- Los Angeles Times
MapQuest Vows to Protect Privacy with its New Mapping App
Los Angeles-headquartered MapQuest has announced the release of Private Maps by MapQuest – the first app fromaleading mapping brand specifically designed to protect users' privacy. Secure, straightforward and free from invasive trackers, Private Maps by MapQuest shifts the focus of online mapping back to the journey, because 'personal data shouldn't be the cost of finding your way.' Private Maps, available now for download on Android devices, keeps routes private with no tracking, no sharing of data and no ads: 'MapQuest introduced the world's first online mapping solution, and now we've come full circle with the launch of the most private mapping experience,' said MapQuest general manager John Chipouras. 'MapQuest learned from the best when building our new Private Maps app: Startpage, the world's most private search engine. Collaborating with Startpage helped us better understand how to create top-tier privacy protections for people who want directions without jeopardizing their online privacy.' MapQuest guides tens of millions of users monthly with maps, directions and route planning. It incorporates map content from HERE Technologies, which practices a privacy-by-design approach as part of its privacy charter. Acquired by System1 – an AI and machine learning-powered customer acquisition platform – MapQuest has undergone a significant tech transformation. MapQuest users now enjoy faster, more intuitive navigation thanks to major product, team and tech investments that include enhanced search capabilities and cutting-edge mapping data. MapQuest's mission is to empower people and businesses to find what they need and navigate how to get there. It is now used by millions of people each month and also operates RoadWarrior, a subscription route-planning app that leverages a proprietary algorithm to streamline complex multi-stop itineraries for delivery drivers. The company is now owned by System1, an industry-leading omnichannel digital marketing platform, powered by Machine Learning and AI. MapQuest's Private Maps concept is consistent with System1's privacy mission. System1 has stated as part of its mission that it believes everyone has the right to control their data, protect their privacy and be safe online, making it the company's duty to 'bring privacy solutions to market that can benefit from our privacy-focused expertise.'
