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Improving GPS Systems with Traffic Flow Data

Posted by CowboyNeal on from the turn-left-at-the-gridlock dept.

An anonymous reader writes "According to a story in Technology Review, some GPS companies are factoring in traffic flow and time of day. From the article: 'Tele Atlas, a Boston-based company that provides digital maps and navigational content, has integrated new trafficking software into its map database so that drivers can find the most optimal route based on speed rather than distance — for any stretch of road at any hour of any day of the week.'"

7 of 82 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Google maps by froggero1 · · Score: 2, Insightful

    this would be really handy technology....

    if it would update live.

    (calgary example: "x929 reports a crash in the left hand lane on deerfoot and 64th, stay in the right hand lane, or take a detour from $x to $y")

    if it had that... I just _might_ buy one of these for my car... I typically know where I'm going on any given day, but if the road changes, I'd like to know that before getting stuck in a jam.

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  2. Real time? by gorrepati · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Bah! This doesn't give you real time data. Only slightly better than present day GPS'.

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    You will never have experience until after you needed it.
  3. Prisoner's Dilemma by marko123 · · Score: 2, Insightful

    This kind of information feedback loop when introduced on a large scale will provide interesting opportunities for behavioural study.

    Do you follow the GPS advice like everyone else and get congested along the "best route?"
    Or do you pick the busiest route knowing that everyone will avoid it?

    I think the most effective general strategy is meant to be to alternate between obeying it and disobeying it.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prisoner's_dilemma

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    http://pcblues.com - Digits and Wood
    1. Re:Prisoner's Dilemma by marko123 · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Interesting point. The central system approach is akin to creating better traffic flow by controlling the individual drivers. This would seem even better than using traffic lights, until you realise that each driver is trying to maximise his own personal speed and not the overall speed of everyone. You want people to cooperate in order for this to work. The prisoner's dilemma has now just included the centralised system as another player in the mix with possibly no improved outcome.

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      http://pcblues.com - Digits and Wood
  4. That isn't "improving GPS" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    When did GPS become synonymous with automobile navigation systems?

  5. Empowering Joe Sixpack is Bad for the Smart People by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    This is a classic example of why empowering the masses isn't necessarily a good idea. Now my favorite commute is going to be jam packed with traffic. Thanks a lot.

  6. Excuse me? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    They're trying to improve global positioning with traffic data? In the most optimal way?