[Sandman]

Is there a navigation app or device that warns of low clearances without keeping you completely off the parkways?

 

[ranxerox]

NY Parkway van restriction question

Next week, I am traveling from NJ to NH. The navigation system suggests routes that include NY parkways. My transit is a 150 MR 148 cargo. It is not registered commercial. Am I allowed on NY parkways? I searched here and also via Google but the results are inconclusive. Even the NY DMV site is...

www.fordtransitusaforum.com

 

[sportcoupe]

No parkways in georgia.

 

[SION1771]

These Garmin navigation devices all allow you to enter your vehicle critical dimensions and it will navigate with those constraints.

RV GPS | GPS Navigation for Motor Homes | Garmin

Get custom routing, road warnings and a directory of RV parks with RV-specific GPS navigation devices from Garmin.

buy.garmin.com

 

[njvagabond]

I have a preference for stand alone navigation units. My human navigator may also use her phone and sometimes a map depending on the situation. I have not found any stand alone units that use bridge height as routing criteria, but I haven't looked too hard yet.

Sygic is an app that looks to be quite robust in routing filters:
"Custom routing according to vehicle parameters. Avoid roads not suitable for your vehicle, or trailer and choose the most convenient path for you. Configure the size and type of your vehicle. Select Truck, RV/Bus, Van, or Car option and set the maximum speed, length, height, weight, width, number of axles, level of Hazmat and other optional preferences. You can use metric, imperial, or U.S. units. Advanced route planning even lets you avoid toll roads, U-turns, or prefer right turns."
IDK of the free version has this capability or only the paid one.

There is a POI database called lowclearances.com. I can't see how it would integrate into routing though. I have no clue how accurate is. It might be a good secondary source in a nav system as a safety check.

 

[Sandman]

This is what I have to deal with on Long Island.

16 overpasses, then disaster: See the bus's route

The bus driver in Sunday night’s accident passed under 16 overpasses with clearance warning signs ranging from 12 feet, 3 inches to 7 feet, 3 inches before striking the 17th overpass at Eagle Avenue in Lakeview.

projects.newsday.com

But in the article it says

'State Police Maj. David Candelaria said that the bus would have been able to pass safely through the overpasses, “if you generally stay in the middle lane.” '

Ideally I would like an app that tells you that you're coming to an overpass that is for example: 7'7" in the right lane but 11'6" in the middle lane, rather than routing you away from that overpass altogether.

Ezlogz all-in-one ELD Trucking Logbook app

Supposedly has this:
"The height will be displayed on the screen of your device, allowing you to either continue driving under the obstacle or you will be suggested an alternative route."

So I downloaded the app but I don't see anything in there like that.

 

[Kirby2020]

This is what I have to deal with on Long Island.

16 overpasses, then disaster: See the bus's route

The bus driver in Sunday night’s accident passed under 16 overpasses with clearance warning signs ranging from 12 feet, 3 inches to 7 feet, 3 inches before striking the 17th overpass at Eagle Avenue in Lakeview.

projects.newsday.com

But in the article it says

'State Police Maj. David Candelaria said that the bus would have been able to pass safely through the overpasses, “if you generally stay in the middle lane.” '

Ideally I would like an app that tells you that you're coming to an overpass that is for example: 7'7" in the right lane but 11'6" in the middle lane, rather than routing you away from that overpass altogether.

Ezlogz all-in-one ELD Trucking Logbook app

Supposedly has this:
"The height will be displayed on the screen of your device, allowing you to either continue driving under the obstacle or you will be suggested an alternative route."

So I downloaded the app but I don't see anything in there like that.

What's INSANE is I was on the Southern State yesterday in my regular car and I saw a High top Ford Transit zipping through tunnels (middle lane) that had clearance signs of under 8 feet!!!! Even in the article, sounds like the cop said the bus would've been okay had he/she stayed in the middle lane "State Police Maj. David Candelaria said that the bus would have been able to pass safely through the overpasses, “if you generally stay in the middle lane.”

Makes me question if our HR vans would really have an issue if we stay in the middle but can't say I'd want to test and find out.

 

[EddieZ]

I don't think a nav app would ever be reliable. There are plenty of reported cases (some notorious) where the posted height -- which is the best you could get with an app -- is very wrong. Roads paved over, increasing road bed height under the crossing... but, signs may never get updated.

Hey, maybe 95% of the height signage is properly maintained and accurate. You want to play Russian roulette trusting the numbers, rather than your own observations? (Yeah, I know, observations don't help for route planning.)

 

[SION1771]

What I was hoping to see in this thread is someone saying there's a device you can affix to your roof that would warn you before you're about to hit something. I can't imagine how that would work, so maybe when we have flying vans they'll have that figured out.

 

[danbr]

What I was hoping to see in this thread is someone saying there's a device you can affix to your roof that would warn you before you're about to hit something. I can't imagine how that would work, so maybe when we have flying vans they'll have that figured out.

The "allstays.com" web site has clearance info

 

[Sandman]

The "allstays.com" web site has clearance info

The app is useful to find low clearances in advance of driving. I also want something that alerts me when driving towards one. It would be most useful if it alerted and showed clearances in all lanes.

 

[danbr]

The app is useful to find low clearances in advance of driving. I also want something that alerts me when driving towards one. It would be most useful if it alerted and showed clearances in all lanes.

Agreed. That actually sounds like a pretty sophisticated radar system, or a BIG database

 

[danbr]

Agreed. That actually sounds like a pretty sophisticated radar system, or a BIG database

Also, the garmin truck GPS units do custom routing and let you enter vehicle profile info. But I don't know what limitiations/coverage are available.

 

[SION1771]

There are Garmin RV specific units - see the link I posted above. Seems like the best option from those listed.

 

[Sandman]

There are Garmin RV specific units - see the link I posted above. Seems like the best option from those listed.

I’m guessing those route you away from the parkways altogether. What I want is something that takes you on the parkway but alerts you when a low bridge is coming so you can get to the center lane.

I might check out this Route-1 low clearance software. Loads low clearances as POIs onto GPS or even onto Google Maps, and has the alerting that I want. I think it can be loaded onto any GPS not just the expensive RV type GPS.

 

[YinzerMoto]

 

[EddieZ]

Yes! As I had mentioned, some crossings are notorious for having less clearance than signage and records indicate.

 

[Sandman]

Like a can opener! Glad I didn’t get the HR.
The Route-1 software is worth the $44 or so if it really works.

 

[Kirby2020]

Like a can opener! Glad I didn’t get the HR.
The Route-1 software is worth the $44 or so if it really works.

Some of us don't have a choice (6'1) but not going to lie, I get white knuckles driving on parkways.

 

[Sandman]

I’m guessing those route you away from the parkways altogether. What I want is something that takes you on the parkway but alerts you when a low bridge is coming so you can get to the center lane.

I might check out this Route-1 low clearance software. Loads low clearances as POIs onto GPS or even onto Google Maps, and has the alerting that I want. I think it can be loaded onto any GPS not just the expensive RV type GPS.

I wound up buying the data from this site Low Clearance POI - GPS Data for $44.
I don't have a garmin. I use google maps.
They give you a file of blue pin locations which can be loaded into google maps showing all low clearances with coordinates.
You can then layer in your planned driving directions to see if you'll be encountering any low clearances.
You can then either plan a route to avoid the low clearances altogether or use the coordinates to do a street view of the low clearance to see if they are passable by staying to the middle of the road.
Of course, you need to plan in advance. Not ideal but better than nothing.