Asking for directions can be a blow to the ego, but proposed gas pumps with Internet connections and Google mapping services could reduce the embarrassment.
The pumps, manufactured by Gilbarco Veeder-Root, are expected to begin installation throughout the country within the next few months, but Pennsylvania gas stations have yet to leap at the new technology.
"It's hard to tell what area will have them first," said Lucy Sackett, marketing communications manager for Gilbarco Veeder-Root. "There are gas pumps all over the country that need nothing more than a software upgrade."
Matt Ettaro (sophomore-kinesiology) said gas pumps with Google mapping capabilities sound like something he would like to see in use "as long as they wouldn't increase gas prices even more."
"Plus, you wouldn't have to go into the gas station to ask for directions if you're lost," he said, adding that his father never asks for directions.
Lost drivers can use the pumps for color maps and directions to local landmarks, hotels and restaurants, as programmed by the gas station's owner, which can then be printed out.
Eventually, Gilbarco Veeder-Root hopes motorists will be able to type in any destination and receive directions, according to a press release.
"We haven't really made a plan for surfing the Web at the gas pump," Sackett said. "You have to design the software for a specific purpose. A retailer wouldn't want a customer to stand in front of the gas pump other than when he's pumping."
Fred Brandstetter, director of sales and services at Petroleum Equipment Services, a gas pump distributor in Pittsburgh, said the company plans to sell the technologically advanced pumps if they get enough requests from gas stations owners.
"The way it looks now, Sheetz will probably be the first to have it," Brandstetter said, "but we have not had any specific requests [for the pump]."
Sheetz spokeswoman Stephanie Hoover said one of the new gas pumps was being tested at the Altoona location last month.
The test pump did not have Internet connection and the screen was being used to advertise Sheetz products. This model will continue to be tested for several months, but Hoover said Sheetz would only consider upgrading the software if customers respond well.
"We don't know if that will be beneficial to our customers or if it's something our customers want," she said. "But if it appears to be, then it's something we'll test out."
Sackett added that Gilbarco gas pumps comprise half of all the pumps on the market. The new pumps, which were introduced at an industry trade show in Atlanta early last month, are not yet available for purchase, but Gilbarco is set to announce the sale soon.
The pumps will not display advertisements on the screen when customers look up directions, but gas stations will be able to earn extra money from merchants who would be allowed to include coupons on the maps customers can print out. Coleen Kelly (freshman-division of undergraduate studies) said she doesn't like asking for directions, especially at night with she is alone, because it is "uncomfortable."
"I'm bad at directions anyways," she said. "I think it would definitely help."
Ted Gartner, the spokesman for Garmin Ltd., a company that manufactures portable Global Positioning Systems, said getting directions from gas pumps is a "novel idea," but his company is not worried about losing business because people will not want to pull over to a gas station every time they get lost.
"It's a different way of delivering to people, but it's certainly not a portable way," he said.
