Andy writes about Global Positioning Systems: “I manage a GPS-based field data collection project for a government agency and read your [Sept. 10] column with interest. First, let us clarify: GPS basically helps us find our real-time location only. Second, the GPS-based navigation systems that factor in real-time traffic are still in their infant stage as data is highly localized and dynamic. Best localized traffic data should come from highway patrol and the likes. And I wonder if the dashboard-mounted units would have enough bandwidth and processing power to handle the incoming data.”
As has been noted, the overlay of real-time traffic information gained from sensors or other means on GPS navigation devices is still relatively new and, I believe has a ways to go before it is completely helpful. The point though is that it is a step in the right direction. It is also the realization that sending drivers onto a given road and a given time of day can often create problems. If the system has some options, and most already do when they ask whether you want mostly highways or those without tolls, then it can route the trip accordingly.
I imagine that there will still be some glitches as the amount of available information increases. For example: If you are heading from downtown Washington to Quantico, Va., at 5:00 p.m., the system is likely to send you to Route 1 rather than Interstate 95 because the sensors on the interstate will tell it that there is congestion there. Route 1 may also have congestion (as well as a whole lot of traffic signals), but the system doesn’t know that yet and it won’t until sensors are installed on that route as well.
One of the old rules in the traffic reporting game is that you don’t send people to an alternate route unless you know that the lanes are open and that the option will actually work. I hope that the GPS navigation devices with the real-time traffic overlays will take that thought into account before recommending alternatives.
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