Google Maps has today rolled out a new feature: Live Traffic Conditions.
The data is available by clicking the new "Traffic" toggle button to the left of "Map - Satellite - Hybrid":
..When you select this option traffic signals appear for cities which have live traffic available. Click the icons and a zoom option appears:
12 comments:
Fantastic - any idea how that works?
Hmm...my first ideea is that somehow they count the signals from the cars with GPS tranmiters on all the routes. Since in America are a lot of cars with this kind of devices they can obtain an accurate prediction of the number of cars on a specified area.
Kreepy
Hmm...my first ideea is that somehow they count the signals from the cars with GPS tranmiters on all the routes. Since in America are a lot of cars with this kind of devices they can obtain an accurate prediction of the number of cars on a specified area.
Kreepy
There's no such thing as a GPS transmitter for a car. Cars receive and process GPS data but never transmit it.
I believe the way it works is by using radar systems like the police use for measuring car speeds. In Des Moines Iowa we have many sensors located all through the I-35, I-80, I-235 loop that monitors vehicle speed and is viewable online. It also triggers LED signs mounted throughout the same loop.
Actually if it's anything like in Toronto, there are sensors under the highway that just determine when a car goes over it. It does not know the speed per say, just the number of cars that are going by.
This information can come from several sources. Some local governments and private corporations have sensors on the roadways that measure how fast traffic is moving. Some of these sensors are in the roads and measure the speed you pass over it. Others read your EZ pass or other toll tag device as you pass between 2 points. Some companies specialize in traffic forecasting with varying degrees of success. They use vast databases of traffic conditions on every day of the year in different conditions for certain areas.
My guess is that this information comes from all of the above depending on what kind of info is available in each area
Rob is correct. There is a multitude of technologies provided and implemented. Google relies on a 3rd party company to incorporate and distribute. For instance… Traffic.com.
HI
I have added google map to my website using google map API. Now I wish to provide a facility so that user can enter their source and destination, and application will show the source and destination traffic. Is possible to do that? If anybody knows the knowledge repository regarding this Pls let me know either by email or by reply to this post. My email address is sreejith@pivotsys.com.
Thanks
I think they use a combination of wizards and goblins in determining (and creating / affecting) traffic volume. Perhaps the more pertinent question should be 'what is causing these mysterious traffic anomalies?' Take a more detailed look and see what you find. Odds are a you will find the same combination I did.
It's BIG BROTHER watching your cell phone's every move!!!
Of course GPS. Units transmit - how else can current location be updated?
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