Editing Transportation in Boston (section)

====Maps and guides====
{{anchor|Maps and guides}}
[[File:Bostonhorseandcart.JPG|thumb|alt=Horse-drawn carriage at dusk on a city street|One of several horse carriages transporting tourists around the city]]
The Boston regional [[Metropolitan Area Planning Council]] (MAPC) publishes a large and detailed "Greater Boston Cycling & Walking Map", which it distributes free of charge.<ref name=MAPCBikeMap>{{cite web|last=Metropolitan Area Planning Council|title=Greater Boston Cycling & Walking Map|url=http://www.mapc.org/resources/bike-transport|publisher=Metropolitan Area Planning Council|access-date=February 20, 2013|archive-date=March 4, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130304080055/http://www.mapc.org/resources/bike-transport|url-status=dead}}</ref>   The map is also available online and in downloadable form, and revisions are solicited from the general public.

In addition, a small private company called Rubel BikeMaps has for many years published and distributed an extensive lineup of books and maps covering Boston, the state of Massachusetts, and nearby areas of New England.<ref>{{cite web |last=Rubel BikeMaps |title=Welcome to Rubel BikeMaps |url=http://bikemaps.com |publisher=Rubel BikeMaps |access-date=February 20, 2013}}</ref>   These publications are for sale at many bicycle shops, and online.  Because of recent expansion of bike lanes and other facilities, plus increased input from the public, it is important to use the most recent editions of these maps and guides.

Rubel BikeMaps also publishes ''Car-Free in Boston:a Guide for Locals and Visitors'', still in its 10th edition {{as of|2015|lc=y}}.<ref name=CFIB>{{cite book|last=Association for Public Transportation|title=Car-Free in Boston:a Guide for Locals and Visitors|year=2003|publisher=Rubel BikeMaps|location=Cambridge, MA|isbn=1-881559-76-9|pages=[https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781881559764/page/192 192]|url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781881559764/page/192|url-access=registration}}</ref>   Prepared by the [[Association for Public Transportation]] (APT), this book contains extensive information useful to bicyclists and pedestrians alike, including coverage of intermodal travel and handicapped accessibility.  Although the general overview and travel tips are largely still relevant, this classic book has not been updated since 2003, and must be supplemented by current online information.

With widespread use of smartphones and tablet computers, [[online mapping]] services such as [[Google Maps]] have become popular aids for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists.  The MBTA was one of the earliest large transit agencies to embrace the [[Open Data]] philosophy, making route, scheduling, and [[real-time locating system|real-time]] vehicle location information publicly available in the standard [[General Transit Feed Specification|GTFS]] format.<ref name=MBTA-GTFS>{{cite web|last=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority|title=Schedules and Trip Planning Data (GTFS)|url=http://www.mbta.com/rider_tools/developers/|work=Rider Tools|publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority|access-date=February 20, 2013}}</ref> As a result, many third-party apps are available on a number of hardware platforms, allowing riders a wide range of choices in obtaining travel information.<ref name=MBTA-Tools>{{cite web|last=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority|title=App Showcase|url=http://www.mbta.com/rider_tools/apps/|work=Rider Tools|publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority|access-date=February 20, 2013}}</ref>  Google Maps has started to present maps of the interiors of underground subway stations, and this information is available on Android and iOS smartphones, as well as web browsers.