Using Cell Phones to Track Traffic

msh210 writes "The AP has reported (with additional information from KMOX-AM) that the Missouri Dept. of Transportation will be teaming up with a private company to track in-use cell phones on Missouri highways and state roads in an effort to monitor traffic flow. Individual information will not be stored, they say -- only the aggregate will be studied, using "sophisticated" math. (See also findlaw.com's commentary on privacy concerns. "

Comments

Does powering off work?

[Karma_fucker_sucker]

Cell phone users may be able to accomplish the same thing by turning off their phones - but at the cost of not receiving what might be important calls from spouses, children, elderly relatives and others.

I once read, here I beleive, that powering off a cell phone doesn't keep it from transmitting. You have to remove the battery or put it into a foil bag. Is this correct?

What is the best to protect your privacy with regard to location with a cell?

As a St. Louis commuter...

[fak3r]

As a St. Louis commuter I can see some value in this, since almost everyone on the road is too focused on the mobile device in their right hand to use any lane change indicators! Still, I can see the privacy concerns, however, if all they're doing is monitoring how much traffic (radio waves) are in the area, it's far different than them listening in. Think about all the radio waves flying around you right now, if you had a device to tell you how much of that energy is moving around, what's the big?

My state makes me sad

[MacFury]

They do boneheaded things like this all too often. They are seriously considering shutting down HWY40, a major highway that connects the suburbs to the city. HWY40 doesn't have exit and on ramps that are the proper length, so they want to do construction to fix all that. If they shut that highway down it will double or triple many peoples morning commute.

Of course, if people would simply stop trying to cut everyone else off, and not drive like total pricks, there wouldn't be any problem. Not to mention the fact that the white flight has caused all these upper middle class jerks to move out of the city but still work there, burning gas for hours each day just to drive back and forth to work.

My first thought

[Control Group]

I can't be the only person whose first thought was of Doctorow's Eastern Standard Tribe, can I?

Not that this has anything to do with music...but it's certainly a step in the direction of Doctorow's future.

That data is already tracked

[bigtrike]

Your cell phone carrier already tracks that information. I don't know if it's saved, but tracking your movements via your cell phone was doable at least 15 years ago, probably much longer. This used to require a warrant, which probably went away with the "patriot" act.

It doesn't matter

[rancmeat]

It doesn't matter what they say the info will be used for. The fact is they will be storing it, and as long as it exists there is the certainty that a lawyer will be able to convince a judge to use it for what it was never intended for.

Let's say the neighbor of a good friend is busted selling drugs. The DA could subpoena records that show you visiting that location on a regular basis, and suddenly you find yourself with a lot of unwanted and unwarranted attention.

It doesn't matter what the data is intended for, the collection of it opens a Pandora's box and the sincerity of the original party collecting the data becomes meaningless when the data vultures show up at the feast.

Already live in the Netherlands

[Anonymous Coward]

For a live version somewhere else in the world, check http://actueleverkeersinformatie.brabant.nl/. This shows traffic density between Breda and Tilburg in the southern part of the Netherlands. Don't forget to enter the image verification code on the left!

Murphy's Law

[petantik f00l]

These kind of schemes always end in tears for everyone. Sounds like a good idea on paper but the system complexity will end up being enormous.

1. The information will be organised and recorded at one central location - which will break
2. It uses the latest technology and, i assume, some stastical/mathematical techniques - which will probably be
incorrect and will end up giving false results anyway
3. 1 and 2 will cause extra congestion and extra cost - yippee!!!




http://petantik.blogsome.com/ - A Lucid Look at Reality

Re:what?-Under pressure.

[bdcrazy]

You touched on the long term uses of these and other traffic monitoring devices, it may not be needed or necessary but it is rather helpful for me.

I use the real time data every morning to determine whether i take i90 to the office, or i290. I use whichever is the least congested, and or change the time i leave for work. This is one of the main uses of the data i can think of.

Another is from the traffic data they can usually determine there was an accident before it has even beeen reported, and use the cameras to find out what is happening. They have overhead signs every so often on all main highways. If they post there is an accident ahead, people will be more cautious and/or find alternate routes.