I took the above picture while stuck in traffic in a 2010 Mercedes-Benz E350 V6 Coupe. Don't worry, I wasn't moving when I snapped it, though I wish I would have been since I was running late.
I called up the "Real-Time Traffic" information supplied by Sirius Traffic on the car's in-dash display. But it didn't tell me anything I didn't already know, and by then it was too late to take a detour. While some information about what's ahead and what to expect in terms of a delay is better than not knowing at all, I'm still wondering when real-time traffic will get real.
To be fair, I did get a sense from the nav system of what to expect during rush hour from the overall map view (shown at right). And it was not a pretty picture. But the report in the first picture didn't pop up until I was stuck in stop-and-go for miles. And the map view showed only one red-car/heavy traffic symbol at that location.
But the good news is real-time traffic is getting better. I had a conversation with a vice president at Inrix at Telematics Detroit in June, and he reported that the traffic-info aggregating company has recently experienced "breakthroughs" in traffic-calculating algorithms. A representative from Nokia said that the company is in the process of leveraging huge amounts of anonymous traffic-flow data it collects from millions of phones into more granular traffic info.
At the conference Google showed how traffic data has become more detailed within the company's Maps application and how it plans to use "vehicles as sensor platforms" to report on in real-time, for example, a traffic accident blocking lanes. Continental demonstrated how its AutolinQ system can use smartphone applications to show traffic-flow cameras on an in-dash display, and Visteon already offers a similar service via an iPhone app.
Of course, this is all down the road, and it does you no good when you're stuck in traffic and need to be somewhere on time, like I was.
What do technology do you use to find out about traffic on your route and how effective is it?
Doug Newcomb, Senior Editor, Technology
By greenpony
on August 31, 2010
10:18 AM
Google maps has a traffic history function that allows you to see the average traffic at a given time and day of the week. Pretty nifty for knowing what to expect on unfamiliar roads. Along my normal routes I know pretty much every alternate route, so if traffic halts, I can quickly go around it.
I grew up without GPS or Mapquest or even cell phones. I had to rely on a road atlas, familiarity with the area, and quick wits. All of which continue to serve me well today.
What's a little frightening is this: "A representative from Nokia said that the company is in the process of leveraging huge amounts of anonymous traffic-flow data it collects from millions of phones into more granular traffic info." Now, I don't use a Nokia, but I'm sure if they are doing it, the other phone companies are doing it too. Did anyone consent to being tracked and having that information sold to traffic software companies?
By deagle13
on September 1, 2010
09:25 AM
greenpony-
If you are using Google maps on a GPS enabled mobile device, then you have consented to Google monitoring your location. It's in the terms and conditions you agree to when you install the app on your phone. I think the iPhone contract allows Apple to track your whereabouts as well (not sure about this one - I use a crackberry).
Personally, I don't mind being monitored as a "data point" to help provide real time traffic data as long as my identity isn't released to any third party. I guess i gotta start paying more attention to the privacy policies of my service providers...
By trafficgeek
on September 1, 2010
10:00 AM
One other tip, consumers should be aware that not all traffic services are the same offering varying levels of reliability. For example, Google often mistakes stop signs and traffic lights on arterials and city streets as traffic jams and misrepresents road closures as streets with freely flowing traffic. You're best bet is to use services powered by INRIX. These guys eat, sleep and breath traffic. They have a free app for Android and iPhones called INRIX Traffic! You also can find their info. in cars with Ford SYNC, mobile apps like ALK Co-Pilot and Navigon MobileNavigator. TeleNav also uses INRIX traffic info. in their AT&T, Sprint and VZ Navigator offerings.
Good luck out there and be smart and safe when using mobile apps from the road.