New Google Feature

 

Just saw this on Navigadget, and it works in Washington, DC

Google Maps can now show you live traffic information on side streets just as it did for highways. Currently it is only available on select cities – but as Google completes its world domination more cities are sure to follow.

To see detail traffic conditions at street level just zoom-in and look for the “Traffic” button.

But how do they do it? It is called crowdsourcing road congestion data.

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Nuvi 3790T w. Lifetime Maps/Macintosh OS Lion/iPhone 4/iPad 1

That's Google

Someday, they will have a bunch of satellites of their own that you can use at will to spy on your neighbors swimming pool in real time.

nice...

nice, very nice little feature.

Some day?

rustyfan wrote:

Someday, they will have a bunch of satellites of their own that you can use at will to spy on your neighbors swimming pool in real time.

OK, well maybe not so everyone can use...
.. but did you know there is a military access Google?

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It's about the Line- If a line can be drawn between the powers granted and the rights retained, it would seem to be the same thing, whether the latter be secured by declaring that they shall not be abridged, or that the former shall not be extended.

Chicago, too

Speed3 wrote:

Just saw this on Navigadget, and it works in Washington, DC

Google Maps can now show you live traffic information on side streets just as it did for highways. Currently it is only available on select cities – but as Google completes its world domination more cities are sure to follow.

To see detail traffic conditions at street level just zoom-in and look for the “Traffic” button.

But how do they do it? It is called crowdsourcing road congestion data.

That's pretty cool. Click on the slow traffic icon and it tells you what's going on. My only complaint is that the red/yellow/green lines cover up the street names on the map.

I was surprised my city was

I was surprised my city was included, thanks for sharing it will make my morning commute easier.... but it does kinda make you wonder, what is next?

Thanks for the tip. There

Thanks for the tip. There are even notes from IDOT and/or relevant authorities for the reasons for the slowdowns, traffic or congestion.

There a stretch of a major street in Chicago that had the following notation:

"EXPECT LANE RESTRICTIONS FOR PATCHING, MILLING AND RESURFACING. SLOW DOWN AND EXPECT DELAYS.DRIVERS ARE STRONGLY URGED TO USE EXTREME CAUTION WHEN DRIVING THROUGH CONSTRUCTION AREAS. SLOW DOWN AND WATCH FOR WORKERS.
Started: Aug 1, 2009 12:00am
Expected to end: Sep 23, 2009 12:00am"

Good to know that I should avoid that stretch through the end of September.

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TomTom One XLS * Contact me about 1200 free print credits *

Google maps

Speed3 wrote:

Just saw this on Navigadget, and it works in Washington, DC

Google Maps can now show you live traffic information on side streets just as it did for highways. Currently it is only available on select cities – but as Google completes its world domination more cities are sure to follow.

To see detail traffic conditions at street level just zoom-in and look for the “Traffic” button.

But how do they do it? It is called crowdsourcing road congestion data.

this is only good on your computer, right? not on your Nuvi?

I pledge allegiance to the

I pledge allegiance to the Google and every nation that it controls....
Its incredible the amount of gadgets that Google has created and provide for free..sure makes life more convenient...

Very cool!

They've added traffic for all the major and medium-sized roads in my NoVA neighborhood. Thanks for the heads-up!

Crowdsourcing explained.

http://www.ditii.com/2009/08/26/google-maps-for-mobile-crowd...

It won't be long before Google puts some serious pressure on Navteq and Inrix if this takes hold. Thousands of FREE sensors on the roads and all Google has to do is mine and collate the data in real time.

So apparently....

Verizon started doing this well before Google.

http://www.gomonews.com/google-maps-update-new-traffic-servi...

.

alokasi wrote:

Verizon started doing this well before Google.

http://www.gomonews.com/google-maps-update-new-traffic-service-follows-in-verizons-footsteps/

Verizon anounced it, but have they started offering it? I haven't heard anything about it in the Baltimore area... oh yeah, what's verizon charging for this I wonder? I know how much Google's is going to be (for now anyway).

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Fletch- Nuvi 750

Couple of things in these reports that are not right

alokasi wrote:

http://www.ditii.com/2009/08/26/google-maps-for-mobile-crowd...

It won't be long before Google puts some serious pressure on Navteq and Inrix if this takes hold. Thousands of FREE sensors on the roads and all Google has to do is mine and collate the data in real time.

Collecting data from cell phones as to traffic density and speed has been going on for several years. The comparison table given on the mobile comm site is not quite right. You never have the option to opt-out of the collection. (Well, turn off your phone and you won't provide data.) If you opt-in as with Google, many of the privacy restraints can - note CAN be lifted because YOU volunteered to provide YOUR data.

Probes essentially work by logging the time your cell phone reaches a certain point (a tower starts receiving your signal) and when the next tower picks up your signal. Overly simplified, that's how they work. There are very heavy privacy restrictions on what data is provided regarding a normal probe, but those restrictions are lifted when you opt-in to a service that allows you to be tracked.

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ɐ‾nsǝɹ Just one click away from the end of the Internet

Neat

www.trafficland.com has that too, but you can access the traffic cams there and see what's causing the jam-up.

If it's just a fender-bender then you know it won't last long. If a Semi is on it's side or there's a Car-be-que (car fire), you'll know to take the recommended "Alternate Route".

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Metricman DriveSmart 76 Williamsburg, VA

thanks

Thanks for the updated info smile

Just curious

a_user wrote:

Collecting data from cell phones as to traffic density and speed has been going on for several years.

Just wondering where you got that info about using cell phones to monitor traffic. That was proposed a few years ago, but I never read anything about it's implementation. Seems to me that all the calculations to do the repeated triangulations to calculate speed and location would severely put a strain on the cell phone head end processors.

Virginia's DOT uses sensors imbedded in the road. Originally, this was started by the Federal DOT as a way to monitor vehicle speed when the speed limit was 55 everywhere (almost). If a certain percentage of drivers exceeded the 55 limit, then Federal Highway Funds could be withheld. If I remember correctly, Maryland got in a big court battle with the Feds over this, which was also one of the reasons Maryland was also so strict on speeders.

The sensors work on the same technology that the traffic signals use - a loop imbedded in the road surface that is really a metal detector. Traffic signals only need one loop, but the speed sensors require two. Next time you pull up to the "Stop Line" at a traffic signal, look closely at the road for tar that's filling up very fine lines that are cut in a giant rectangle with chamfered corners (NOTE: not in use everywhere). Stop before or after the sensor and the light will not change. Don't know how many people there are that don't know that there is more than one reason to stop with your front bumper just barely behind the stop line. I have seen lots and lots of people stop way past the stop line and then sit there while the light cycles for everybody else, but them. This is usually a left turn lane. They either sit there till someone pulls up behind them or they run the red light. (Of course, there are other methods used, but this one is very common in VA and elsewhere)

Sorry, I digressed.

The Speed Sensors usually are two octagons close together, both in the center of the lane (a pair in each lane on the interstate). The time between the first loop sensing the vehicle and then the second one sensing it is used to determine the speed, just like VASCAR, but with much shorter distances. They are easy to spot, if you know what to look for. In VA there will be a 4 X 4 post with a large dark green box attached at the top about 5 ft. off the ground adjacent to the sensors. Sometimes hard to spot, as they tend to place them far enough off to the side so they are less likely to be hit.

We now have traffic cams on the Interstate by us and traffic conditions message signs. I don't know if speed monitoring is in the cameras or not, but it wouldn't suprise me if it were.

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Metricman DriveSmart 76 Williamsburg, VA

Here's the company that does it

http://www.airsage.com/

They are providing the data for both Verizon and Google. Its difficult to tell if they use two data streams or if they merge the data from both sources and supply it to both parties.

Try the I-95 Coalition for one

metricman wrote:
a_user wrote:

Collecting data from cell phones as to traffic density and speed has been going on for several years.

Just wondering where you got that info about using cell phones to monitor traffic. That was proposed a few years ago, but I never read anything about it's implementation. Seems to me that all the calculations to do the repeated triangulations to calculate speed and location would severely put a strain on the cell phone head end processors.

There are questions being raised about the loop detectors being RF radiators which would make them subject to FCC regulation. Some companies are now manufacturing self contained magnetic detectors that are sensitive enough to determine a magnetic "signature" of a vehicle that passes over it. The time it takes to cross another detector and the "signature" matched will yield travel time info.

As to cell phone probe data, the test bed was in Sacramento about 6 years ago. VZ and Cingular provided data. The latest wrinkle which would be completely anonymous is to detect bluetooth signals from cars.

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ɐ‾nsǝɹ Just one click away from the end of the Internet

I am continually amazed...

at the things I learn here since joining!

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Nuvi 660

Good to know. A nice and

Good to know. A nice and very useful feature.

Just in time

Your post came just in time. I was planning to order the Garmin traffic receiver for our Mass. to AZ trip.
I can plug my laptop into the power inverter and use the google or trafficland sites.

Thanks!

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Originator of Keeping Your Windmill Alive. Live in MA & have a cooking website. 6 yr. member. http://kitchentoysmakecookingfun.blogspot.com/

Metal detector

metricman wrote:
a_user wrote:

Collecting data from cell phones as to traffic density and speed has been going on for several years.

The sensors work on the same technology that the traffic signals use - a loop imbedded in the road surface that is really a metal detector. Traffic signals only need one loop, but the speed sensors require two. Next time you pull up to the "Stop Line" at a traffic signal, look closely at the road for tar that's filling up very fine lines that are cut in a giant rectangle with chamfered corners (NOTE: not in use everywhere). Stop before or after the sensor and the light will not change. Don't know how many people there are that don't know that there is more than one reason to stop with your front bumper just barely behind the stop line. I have seen lots and lots of people stop way past the stop line and then sit there while the light cycles for everybody else, but them. This is usually a left turn lane. They either sit there till someone pulls up behind them or they run the red light. (Of course, there are other methods used, but this one is very common in VA and elsewhere)

A powerful magnet mounted to the under side of a car will fix this. It's not so much a metal detector as it is a magnetic field detector. The field flows freely along the wire. Something needs to disrupt the flow. The more powerful the disruption, the faster the light changes (if it's not equiped with a timer)

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Jesus died for your sins. If you don't sin, Jesus died for nothing.

On signals

Sundive wrote:

A powerful magnet mounted to the under side of a car will fix this. It's not so much a metal detector as it is a magnetic field detector. The field flows freely along the wire. Something needs to disrupt the flow. The more powerful the disruption, the faster the light changes (if it's not equiped with a timer)

the loop detector feeds a controller input. With multiple cables from adjacent lanes closely spaced, your magnet could trigger turn lanes which would slow you geting through the signal even more.

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ɐ‾nsǝɹ Just one click away from the end of the Internet

No triangulation...

metricman wrote:

Seems to me that all the calculations to do the repeated triangulations to calculate speed and location would severely put a strain on the cell phone head end processors.

It has nothing to do with triangulation...
Google will also tap into data it receives from GPS-enabled phones that use Google Maps with the My Location feature. As users move around a city, Google can see how well traffic is flowing along any road and will update its live traffic data accordingly.
http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/google_maps_gets_smarte...

Oregon

Works in Beaverton, OR, too...

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Michael (Nuvi 2639LMT)

whoa.. pretty wild

works outside my door too!

one other thing: did you see in the left-hand margin? it has recently closed real estate sale prices

hmmm!

(i started by putting in my address - and saw the real estate detail in the margin)

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Garmin nuvi 755t

I'm amazed

I'm amazed, especially at the number of google maps users in Houston!

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rustyfan wrote:

Someday, they will have a bunch of satellites of their own that you can use at will to spy on your neighbors swimming pool in real time.

allbizz wrote:

nice, very nice little feature.

Be very afraid. Allbizz wants to play big brother to us all!

very cool

very cool

Great Feature

This is a great feature for Google.

Oak RIdge, TN using the loops with cameras for speed detection

Just a warning to all that Oak Ridge, TN is now using these loops to trigger speed cameras and mail the tickets. Apparently they were in testing this summer. We received a warning letter that we were speeding in a school zone. We checked the date and time, and it was a Sunday afternoon in July! So, your radar detectors will be of no use in those areas if this technology becomes a trend.

..

pidjones wrote:

Just a warning to all that Oak Ridge, TN is now using these loops to trigger speed cameras and mail the tickets. Apparently they were in testing this summer. We received a warning letter that we were speeding in a school zone. We checked the date and time, and it was a Sunday afternoon in July! So, your radar detectors will be of no use in those areas if this technology becomes a trend.

Oh ye of little faith! Haven't you heard of Sunday school? I hear their coming up with detention in Sunday School, as well as summer Sunday school.