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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?"

4 of 21 comments (clear)

  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.

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  2. 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!

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  3. 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

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  4. 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.

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