Online service allows travellers to customise maps

A new online map allows travellers to find toilets, somewhere to eat or and ATM anywhere in New Zealand.

The Automobile Association was today launching its AA SmartMap to allow travellers to customise travel maps around the country with any of thousands of pieces of data.

The online mapping system will include the quickest route between two points and make the location of toilets, cafes and restaurants, accommodation, boat ramps and points of interest easier to find.

The AA has one of the largest data bases of its kind in the country and pokesman Greg Hunter said in the next few months it would also include information on traffic congestion.

The service has been developed over the last 12 months by the AA and digital mapping company GeoSmart.

Mr Hunter said: "You have a map of New Zealand and select where you are. You put in where you want to go or what you want to find, whether it is an ATM or a trip to Taupo or whatever it happens to be.

"It will then produce a map and turn-by-turn directions which you can print out.

"That is the simple aspect, but it has a whole range of layers so you can then say, 'Where are the ATMs, where are hotels and motels when I get to Taupo, or what restaurants are within range?' and it will overlay that on the map."

He said it would also find things like playing fields or any other points around any city, town or place in the country.

The site can be accessed through aamaps.co.nz (link below).

- NZPA