Earlier this year, Google Maps added the support for Bluetooth positioning beacons in tunnels. This way, if these beacons are installed in the tunnel, Google Maps can use them to know your position accurately despite the lack of GPS coverage, which is common in tunnels.
The problem? That many tunnels do not have these beacons, among them, those of the M30 in MadridFortunately for motorists, this will change next year as Madrid City Council has confirmed that it will install them in 2025.
Forget about losing GPS signal
Image: Madrid City Hall
If you’ve ever entered the tunnels of the M30 (or Calle 30) without knowing what they are, you probably know the feeling of panic that comes over you. when your cell phone loses GPS signal and neither Google Maps nor Waze are able to know where you are to give you the proper directions.
To avoid this, the Madrid City Council will install in these tunnels a Bluetooth electronic beacon system which will facilitate GPS navigation. The budget for supply and installation exceeds 200,000 dollars and the idea is for it to be operational in spring 2025. The news was reported by El Mundo and confirmed by Europa Press.
This positioning solution using triangulation techniques aims to solve The problems of the current GPS navigation system in tunnels, where it is common for satellites to have no visibility. As confirmed by both media outlets, both Google Maps and Waze will benefit from these beacons.
The beacons will be installed at a distance of approximately 20 to 40 meters from each other, mainly on the sides of the tunnel, using a support that will be fixed to the cable trays. Each beacon will have its position in the tunnel associated with it and will emit a Bluetooth signal which will allow you to identify your location. By triangulating it, navigators will be able to precisely position the vehicle.
By | Europe Press
Cover image | Pixabay
In Xataka Android | This is all the data Google Maps collects about you (and there is a lot)
