New traffic re-routing system for navigation systems coming from Inrix
We've never heard of Inrix before, but apparently they're a provider of traffic data for GPS navigation systems. Inrix has just announced what it's calling a "third generation traffic routing platform." The new system is claimed to go beyond existing systems to continuously monitor updated traffic data in real time and combine it with historical data and predictive algorithms. The combination of all the information is supposed to produce more accurate traffic routing instructions aimed at cutting your travel time instead of giving you a detour that takes longer than the traffic jam. The system is designed to be incorporated into navigation systems and Inrix apparently has an automaker signed to use this new system, although the name won't be announced until some time later this year. [Source: Inrix]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
C.W. 8:21AM (5/21/2008)
oh, like TravelLink from Ford coming this summer on the Flex and MKS and everything else with Nav systems.
i had a chance to try the new TravelLink system and it is the coolest thing ever. Updates continuously with real time traffic and construction and routes you around it...
Inrix is making it seem like you still have to wait for this technology...
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inteller 8:28AM (5/21/2008)
Garmin needs this, because its rerouting technology is crap/non-existent.
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zmf001 8:49AM (5/21/2008)
I love technology, and I love these systems. But, honestly the majority of the roads I drive don't have any traffic monitoring equipment. So at best this "new" feature could guess how to route me around some construction on the interstate.
Now when I live in DC, LA, Miami, NYC, or Chicago then I may get some benefit. Until then it is just more money for a feature I can't use.
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Patrick Austin 11:13AM (5/21/2008)
This is awesome technology, but I kind of worry about what happens when these systems fail. Roadway capacity is a very, very sensitive system and it's often the case that adding just a few cars to a near-capacity road will cause a complete clusturfeck.
It's not an issue now, when only a few people have this tech in their cars. However, if we make extensive use these things to make better use of existing roads, and then 20 years from now the roadway sensors go bad or the communication systems goes down even temporarily, the failure mode could be complete gridlock for many many many hours.
I just hope companies realize this well in advance and build these routing systems to be _very_ robust, or I predict a lot of people urinating by the side of the road while stuck in ungodly traffic jams.
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D-Bran 4:09PM (5/26/2008)
What is the definition of “Real-Time?” When I think of Real-Time, I think of “right now, this very moment.” I know everyone says they have Real-time data, but all of them get the data from the State’s Department of Transportation, or other source, which has inherent delays. Those State DOT’s say that the data is gathered electronically, processed and then sent to the third party company, where it is then married with the third party’s “historical data and predictive algorithims.” That takes time. Up to 15 minutes. Traffic changes a lot in 15 minutes. How close to Real-time can it be? Maybe we just need a new definition of Real-Time. Something like “delayed?” Truth in advertising.
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