Specific Meaning of Restricted Usage Road on Google Maps

Specific Meaning of Restricted Usage Road on Google Maps - Person Wearing Beige Sweater Holding Map Inside Vehicle

Searching for driving directions using Google Maps, I found a number of instructions which are labelled Restricted Usage Road. Another couple of Google Searches says this could mean any of a number of things such the road being private or being limited to certain types of vehicles.

How does one find out what Restricted Usage Road means for a particular road?

For example, when looking for directions from Sun Moon Lake to Alishan National Scenic Area, I got this:

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Best Answer

It is only the first 110m (I marked in red) that is restricted - that is access between the waterfront and the main road (21A, blue) is private:

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The distance from the top of the red direct to the bend in the main road is little over 100 feet.




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What does Google Maps mean by restricted usage road?

Only people who live (at the road) behind this sign or who have to do something there (visit someone, stay there in a hotel etc. - the "restricted usage") are allowed to drive there. But it is e.g. not allowed to drive just through such a road because it is a shortcut for you.

What does a GREY road on Google Maps mean?

Gray means there is no data available. Black and red roads indicate traffic may be stopped at points.

What does Orange roads mean on Google Maps?

According to Google themselves, the official colors are as follows: Green: No traffic delays. Orange: Medium amount of traffic. Red: Traffic delays. The darker the red, the slower the speed of traffic on the road.

How do I avoid minor roads on Google Maps?

How to avoid highways on Google Maps on desktop
  • Go to maps.google.com.
  • Click into the blue right-turn icon, located next to the "Search Google Maps" bar.
  • Enter your starting and ending points.
  • Click "Options."
  • Tick the box next to "Avoid Highways."
  • Open your Google Maps app on your iPhone or Android phone.




  • Know Toll On Roads BeforeHand Via Google Maps; You Can Even Skip Toll Routes; Here's How




    More answers regarding specific Meaning of Restricted Usage Road on Google Maps

    Answer 2

    In addition to what you can get from Google, there are other map sources: Bing, Apple, Mapquest, and OpenStreetMap. Maybe others. None of them are any more reliable than Google, but you might get a better idea by comparing all than by just looking at one.

    In OpenStreetMap, each section of a "way" may have one or more tags giving details about the characteristics of that section. It's "crowd-sourced," so it may not be very reliable, but rarely are any editors motivated to deceive you.

    Answer 3

    Google does not know why some roads are restricted or if they do know, they do not care.

    In my area there is a big factory where there are through roads on the grounds, but nobody is allowed on the grounds but factory staff which has good reasons to be there. So also no off duty staff and usually the staff has to use the nearest entrance to where they need to be, not crossing the grounds for an exit on the far end.
    Google does suggest using the roads through the factory grounds as 'restricted roads' at times.

    On the other hand, a lot of roads in the Netherlands are through roads for cyclists but cars are only allowed for access. Most of the time there is a block in the road somewhere that can be taken out for emergency vehicles. Often those stay out for the gritting crew in winter.
    Those roads will also show up in Google map routes with 'restricted road' warnings, even when you have the right to use them to reach an address on the road or use them on a bike without the restrictions affecting you.

    So if Google mentions a restricted road you will have to check whether it affects you. Street view is a good help.
    Something as big as a factory will show up on the map, with clear boundaries. But a sign on the side of the road will not show up on the map, you can often get a clue on the satellite view as well as on street view if offered for the area.

    But in some cases you just can not get information online and will have to sort out which part of the route is not available by checking out parts of the route and see where the warnings are for. And see if there are alternatives for that part of the route.

    Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

    Images: Dominika Roseclay, Leah Kelley, Andrea Piacquadio, Andrea Piacquadio