Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Are There Any Real-Time GPS+Traffic Solutions?

Posted by Cliff on from the avoiding-the-stop-and-go dept.

Anonymous asks: "I've been wanting to buy a GPS unit for my car, especially since having to drive on the California freeways lately. However, it kills me to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on one of the available units, knowing that right around the corner, I'll see devices that can factor in live traffic data. Or maybe something like this already exists? California does offer ways of downloading their freeway sensor data on the web (this is what sigalert.com uses for their cool maps). For example, this text file is updated frequently with the latest speeds for all the listed sensors. And most GPS units will let you choose between the 'shortest' route and the 'fastest' route. If only we could re-write the algorithm for 'fastest route' to take into effect real-time traffic speeds, check alternate routes, etc. Still, I'd be willing to pay thousands of dollars for a really good GPS+Traffic device that JUST WORKS. Are there any? Are they any good? Are there any on the horizon that you're drooling over?"

21 comments

  1. Back from Japan recently... by exp(pi*sqrt(163)) · · Score: 3, Informative

    I was pretty blown away by the GPS units I saw there. They rendered 3D views of where you were. This sounds like a dumb idea at first as if you want to see that you can just look out of your car. But the arrows showing you which way to go are also rendered in 3D so you can actually get a reliable indication of the path to take rather than "turn left in 50 yards" 50 yards after your turn. So my advice: if you want to see what's on its way check out what they have in Japan.

    --
    Doesn't it make you feel good to know that our freedoms are protected by politicans, lawyers and journalists.
    1. Re:Back from Japan recently... by JeffMagnus · · Score: 2

      Now just get something to project that onto the windshield like a heads-up display and you have something to write home about.

    2. Re:Back from Japan recently... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting

      I was pretty blown away by the GPS units I saw there. They rendered 3D views of where you were [..] So my advice: if you want to see what's on its way check out what they have in Japan.

      You mean like GPS units that have been on sale for several years (screenshots) here in the US from companies like TomTom?

    3. Re:Back from Japan recently... by exp(pi*sqrt(163)) · · Score: 1

      No. I mean 3D. You know, that extra 3rd dimension that allows things to actually extend out of a flat plane.

      --
      Doesn't it make you feel good to know that our freedoms are protected by politicans, lawyers and journalists.
    4. Re:Back from Japan recently... by gilesjuk · · Score: 1

      Memorymap do 3D GPS, the reason it's not really taken off for car navigation is the size of the data.

    5. Re:Back from Japan recently... by exp(pi*sqrt(163)) · · Score: 1

      I wonder how they manage in Japan. Tokyo isn't a small town and yet I saw (admittedly crude) renders of the buildings all round in many of the cars I peeked into,

      --
      Doesn't it make you feel good to know that our freedoms are protected by politicans, lawyers and journalists.
    6. Re:Back from Japan recently... by ElGuapoGolf · · Score: 1

      Compared to New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, DC, Boston, and so on, Tokyo isn't going to take up that much data. And all of those cities are within a few hours of each other on the east coast and sit in the same "NE" region on most navigation DVDs.

  2. Better get started today. by snower1313 · · Score: 2, Funny

    http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0672305100/ ref=pd_sxp_elt_l1/102-3285728-7394502

  3. Funny you should ask.... by Morgon · · Score: 4, Informative

    http://www.engadget.com/entry/1234000330050622/
    Engadget posted something just yesterday about one of Garmin's new StreetPilots that does just that!

    --
    [DISCLAIMER: This post is a work of satire and should not be misconstrued as a holy text upon which to base a religion.]
  4. XM & Sirius Radio by Jah-Wren+Ryel · · Score: 3, Informative

    XM has their NavTraffic service which works with the Pioneer AVIC-N2 for some big bambucha dollars:
    http://www.xmradio.com/newsroom/screen/pr_2004_11_ 02.html

    Sirius has something going on with NavTEQ
    http://www.navteq.com/NewsUserServlet?action=NewsD etail&newsId=297

    --
    When information is power, privacy is freedom.
    1. Re:XM & Sirius Radio by white1827 · · Score: 1

      I have the NavTraffic service on my Acura RL. It's great!

  5. TomTom Navigator 5 by IIDX · · Score: 1, Interesting

    I've got TomTom's Navigator software for my Treo 650. It also updates traffic via GPRS network and automatically reroutes you based on your traffic preferences. Works fairly well, but you have to deal with the smaller screen size of the Treo or other PDA.

    1. Re:TomTom Navigator 5 by funkwater · · Score: 1

      The TomTom GO 700 will do the same thing as an all-in-one portable unit. I can't wait for this thing to come out (eta last month).

    2. Re:TomTom Navigator 5 by funkwater · · Score: 1


      Update: It's finally available via circuit city for $855 (not cheap).

  6. Honda uses XM NavTraffic by digitect · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Honda provides the XM NavTraffic system in the smokin' Acura RL (a cool $50,000). You can read more on Acura's Real Time traffic page.

    --
    There is no need to use a SlashDot sig for SEO...
    1. Re:Honda uses XM NavTraffic by digitect · · Score: 2, Informative

      Forgot to mention that XM's system is also available via two different Pioneer AVIC after-market products.

      --
      There is no need to use a SlashDot sig for SEO...
  7. resolution by TheSHAD0W · · Score: 1

    http://freefall.purrsia.com/ff100/fv00048.htm

  8. PharosGPS by cmarks03 · · Score: 1

    I personally haven't tried it, but Pharos GPS (www.pharosgps.com) offers a pay service such as this for their GPS units. I just bought one for a trip and I love the unit. Their software does leave a few things to be desired (more up-to-date maps; I was driving in the middle of a field according to their Ostia software, and they put my house on the wrong side of a cross street), but I've found it to be overall accurate. I've personally never tried it, but I thought I'd throw it out there. My GPS unit from them (to connect to my iPaq) was about $200USD plus tax and extended warranty. Their traffic service I think is about $60/year and requires an internet connection. Good luck dude.

    --
    Peace, Chris
  9. A difficult and expensive problem by spaceyhackerlady · · Score: 1

    In my Real Job (tm) I'm working on a system that does things with GPS data, including plotting the results on maps.

    The main cost is the map data, and software to draw maps from umpteen gigs of raw data. They ship the main portion of the data (streets and highways for Canada and the U.S.) on 3 DVDs, a great improvement over the release before that came on 15 CDs. The hardware requirements are non-trivial too, and can really add up.

    Even with the map data you then have several problems that are hard to get right. They include geocoding (street address -> lat/long), reverse geocoding (lat/long -> street address), finding routes from Point A to Point B, and presenting the whole mess in a pleasing manner (i.e. pleasing enough that people will pay for it). This is hard enough when you want to decide between shortest and fastest routes. Add in real-time traffic and it gets really complicated, really fast.

    The commercial services who charge money for what you ask are fully justified in doing so. They are solving an amazingly hard problem.

    ...laura

    1. Re:A difficult and expensive problem by jrockway · · Score: 0

      Funny. To solve this "problem", I just look at a map and listen to traffic problems on the radio. Requires nearly no brainpower.

      Actually, I don't drive... I take public transportation. But I always end up giving driving directions to family/friends that come to visit my city apartment.

      (You're the one driving... YOU should know the streets. How can it be that I, who has never been behind the wheel, can tell you how to get from anywhere to anywhere else!?)

      --
      My other car is first.
  10. Out for a Drive - make yourself useful by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Look at Kismet[1] for wardriving - GPS and Festival integration if you can get the whole kit running.

    Maps? we don't need no stinkin' maps - we need broadband!

    [1] http://freshmeat.net/projects/kismet/