1. Why are all B.C. communities and municipalities not included?

2. How is the distance between X and Y calculated?

3. What criteria is used to choose a route?

4. How accurate are travel times involving inland or coastal ferry travel ?
   
   
5. Are distances travelled on coastal ferry routes considered in the final distance between two communities?
   
   
6. How accurate is the Distance Calculator and can I depend on it to make plans, calculate gas consumption, etc.?

1. Why are all B.C. communities and municipalities not included?

We have not attempted to list every town and municipality in the province. This is to keep development costs of the distance calculator down.

The current list of locations was chosen to provide reasonable coverage of the province while keeping development costs at a reasonable level. For each additional town that is added to the list, distances and travel times must be calculated to every other town already on the list. Therefore the level of effort to add one additional town increases exponentially as the list of towns gets larger.

For towns that are not included on the list, select the nearest town that is on the list and adjust the distance and travel time accordingly.

2. How is the distance between X and Y calculated?

Distances have been calculated using the Ministry's Landmark Kilometer Inventory database of highway segment lengths.

3. What criteria are used to choose a route?

The route between any two points was chosen to minimize travel time under ideal conditions. An alternate route may be quicker when factors such as road construction, urban congestion, winter road conditions and ferry departure times are considered.

4. How accurate are travel times involving inland or coastal ferry travel ?

Times are reasonably accurate during normal conditions, accounting for a 30 minute wait at coastal ferry terminals. However, wait times can be shorter or longer depending on traffic demand, ferry departure times, and unscheduled ferry delays. For up-to-date information consult Inland Ferry Schedules; Coastal Ferry Schedules.

5. Are distances travelled on coastal ferry routes considered in the final distance between two communities?

Yes, distances travelled on coastal ferry routes are included in the final distance calculation.

6. How accurate is the Distance Calculator and can I depend on it to make plans, calculate gas consumption, etc?

No, the figures are considered to be approximate and should not be counted on for expense or travel reimbursement, fuel calculation, or any commercial, important or mission critical purposes.

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