Using Cell Devices To Monitor Traffic Flow

MxTxL writes "MSNBC is running a fairly nifty story here about how a few telco companies are thinking of using cell phone, pager and GPS signals and even the toll-payer transponders to analyze traffic patterns and give operators better abilities to route traffic around congestion. The article even mentions a few privacy issues and talks a little bit on how the GPS units in cars could be alerted to warn the driver about upcoming congestion and suggest an alternative route. "

Comments

Dynamic system indeed!

[dmorin]

Looks like a self-modifying system -- person A uses phone to check traffic status, is told "all clear". Person A then smashes into person B because he wasn't paying attention to the f*cking road. Person C then checks traffic status and is told "Accident ahead." And so on. :)

The potential for abuse is enormous

[Rosco P. Coltrane]

If people can be tracked in their cars with cell phones and on-board GPS devices, how long until the police uses this to give people speeding tickets ?

In the UK, I believe they already have CCTV cameras on major motorways to read people's license plates, track their average speed and issue electronic tickets automatically. If people's cell phones are used to achieve this, not only the authorities won't have to spend a penny to catch people anymore, but the people themselves will pay for the cell phone and the service to get shafted !

Suddenly, I'm glad I drive a 30 year old car without On-Star, GPS or cell phone.

Cool art car!

[griffjon]

Bystander: "Cool art car!"

ClueStick Owner: "Dude, it's not an 'art car' it's a Farraday cage protecting my car from being tracked with a mounted trafficcamera-flashing laser system and highly reflective paint coatings on the license plates to reduce resolution..."

Bystander: "huh?"

ClueStick Owner: "Here's a tin foil hat. Have fun."