this watir script drives a browser to write a distance matrix for mass transit times.

mapdriver.rb

# google maps has a nice distance matrix api, that allows you to get distance (either
# time or physical), provided that your means of transportation is driving, cycling,
# or walking. this watir script drives a browser to write a distance matrix for 
# mass transit times. naturally, it'll have to change when google does a significant
# update to their google maps interface. 
#
# robert mann
# january 2014

require 'rubygems'
require 'watir-webdriver'

browser = Watir::Browser.new
browser.goto 'http://www.google.com/maps'

l = browser.link :id => 'd_launch' #get directions toggle button
l.exists?
l.click

l = browser.link :id => 'dir_r_btn' #transit button
l.exists?
l.click

puts browser.select_list(:id => 'tr_nwhen').options
browser.select_list(:id => 'tr_nwhen').select 'Depart at'

browser.text_field(:id => 'tr_date').set '01/27/14'
browser.text_field(:id => 'tr_time').set '08:30am' 

# we could set destinations to be same as origins if we want a matrix
# but sometimes google will randomly not be able to locate a place (lincoln memorial)
# so it's easier to split them up, so we can restart at a failure point
origins = [	'18th St and Columbia Rd NW', 				#adams morgan
				'Connecticut Ave and Q St NW',			#dupont
				'17th St and H St NW',					#neob
				'9th St and U St NW',					#dc9
				'14th St and Irving St NW',				#columbia heights
				'Georgia Ave NW and Randolph St NW',	#petworth
				'16th St and Spring Rd NW',				#16th near rock creek
				'Union Station',						#union station
				'7th St and G St NW',					#gallery place
				'Lincoln Memorial Circle NW',			#lincoln mem
				'The U.S. Capitol, First Street SE',	#congress
				'13th St and H St NE',					#h st
			]	
destinations = ['18th St and Columbia Rd NW', 			#adams morgan
				'Connecticut Ave and Q St NW',			#dupont
				'17th St and H St NW',					#neob
				'9th St and U St NW',					#dc9
				'14th St and Irving St NW',				#columbia heights
				'Georgia Ave NW and Randolph St NW',	#petworth
				'16th St and Spring Rd NW',				#16th near rock creek
				'Union Station',						#union station
				'7th St and G St NW',					#gallery place
				'Lincoln Memorial Circle NW',			#lincoln mem
				'The U.S. Capitol, First Street SE',	#congress
				'13th St and H St NE',					#h st
			]	
city = "Washington, DC"
origins.each { |origin|
	origin = origin + " " +city

	destinations.each { |destination|
		destination = destination + " " + city

		next if origin == destination

		puts "Origin: "+origin
		puts "Dest: "+destination

		browser.text_field(:name => 'saddr').set origin
		browser.text_field(:name => 'daddr').set destination
		sleep(1);
		btn = browser.button :id => 'd_sub' #Get Directions submit
		btn.exists?
		btn.click
		sleep(3);
		li = browser.li :id => 'altroute_0'
		answer = li.text
		puts answer
		outs= "{"
		outs=outs+ '"origin":"'+origin+'",'
		outs=outs+ '"destination":"'+destination+'",'
		outs=outs+ '"response": {"'+answer.gsub("\n",';')+'"}'
		outs=outs+ "},"

		File.open('map-test.txt', 'a') { |f| f.write(outs) }
	}
}