Long Trip Calendaring Errors - Part 2

[AnneBruskland]

Last October, I posted a discussion titled Long Trip Calendaring Errors. 

As a reminder to folks, that forum explained that since switching from Microsoft MapPoint based geocoding to Google maps in RSO, administrators have noted users calendaring trips to an incorrect location in another state and or country due to omission of a city, state or zip code in their origin or destination address. Recently, iCarpool updated the system to allow us to configure upper threshold for trip lengths by mode at a system level to catch these types of errors.  Once configured in the system, if a user tries to enter a commute trip with an origin and destination with a distance greater than the threshold, the user will receive an error message and be required to reenter a trip origin and destination with a trip length within the threshold range. 

Given this is a system wide configuration, the thresholds will be the same in all three states.  Prior to implementation, we want to get feedback from the group to be sure we are setting appropriate upper thresholds.  It is particularly important that partners who represent rural areas review the thresholds, as they are likely to have the longest commutes. Please review and let me know if you see any issues by Friday, June 1st.  I will work with Amol to configure the thresholds in the system as soon after that date as possible.  If, after the update, folks run into any issues with the new threshold, please feel free to share that feedback via this forum or email your comment to [e-mail] and we can work with iCarpool to make adjustments as necessary. 

 

MILEAGE THRESHOLD BY MODE
Mode	Miles
Drive Alone	150
Vanpool	150
Carpool	150
Walk	10
Bike	30
Bus	150
Train/Lt Rail	150
Streetcar	30
Passenger Ferry	150

[Stan Suchan]

My understanding is that:

> users who enter commute trips that exceed these thresholds will see an error message; they'll be encouraged to correct their entry

> these thresholds do not apply to non-commute trips, including business and personal trips

 

 

[AnneBruskland]

Yes - the system will display an error message.  The system will require them to correct their entry.  The system will not allow someone to enter a commute trip that is more than the threshold. 

It is correct that this only applies to commute trips. Folks may take business and/or personal trips that exceed the threshold given it would not be unlikely for those trips to be longer trips.  

[Nathan Broom]

I'm glad iCarpool has a way to address the long trips issue. I might have preferred a warning message rather than an error message, and allowing users to continue logging the trip if they choose, particularly to accommodate those commuters who make occasional long trips--greater than some of the thresholds above--to distant worksites where they have overnight accommodations. However, the solution proposed above is not unreasonable either.

Still, I'm thinking about the user experience, based on this description: "...the user will receive an error message and be required to reenter a trip origin and destination with a trip length within the threshold range." If the system throws up a wall because of trip length, I think it should also make it clear that any length trip can be entered for non-commute trips. Instead of forcing users alter the origin or destination--some long trips may be legitimate, and system rejection could be frustrating to users--the system could suggest choosing a different "purpose" instead... something like this: "The distance of the commute trip you entered is longer than allowed by the system. Review your origin and destination to make sure they are correct. If they are, consider choosing a Purpose other than 'commute' for this trip." It would also be nice to add fields in that message stating the mileage of the trip entered and the maximum allowed for the mode selected.

Finally, the bike threshold seems a little low. A bike commute of 30 miles one way (I'm assuming these are all one-way thresholds) is rare, but not out of the question. 40 or 50 miles might be safer.

[AnneBruskland]

Thanks for the feedback Nathan.  We will track feedback on the message and see if adjustments need to made.  I can also up the threshold for bike trips to 50 miles.