From now on, the first set of directions it spits out will be the fastest in current conditions, so if everyone’s gawking at some accident on the highway you’d normally be taking, Google will direct you zip away on an alternative route. [Google Mobile]
Anouk
Tuesday, March 8, 2011 at 9:49 AMPosts from BGR and Engadget suggest availability only in North America and Europe for the moment? Can this be confirmed?
Dan Gordon
Tuesday, March 8, 2011 at 10:35 AMAm I the only one who assumed that it already did this?
Ash
Tuesday, March 8, 2011 at 10:48 AMHi Dan,
Yeah I thought it already had the smarts to offer you the best route via the least traffic and shortest driving time.
Sylphier
Tuesday, March 8, 2011 at 11:21 AMHow does Google Maps know traffic conditions anyway? If it were more long time conditions such as peak-off peak traffic I understand, but how does it report say an accident?
Anouk
Tuesday, March 8, 2011 at 1:26 PMA local company – Intelematics (www.http://www.intelematics.com.au) – specialise and collect traffic information all around Australia. Their customer base include Google (Maps), Nokia (Ovi/Navteq), TomTom, and quite a few others.
Sensors at traffic lights collect the traffic information, i.e. how many cars have passed within a specific time frame. If cars start moving slowly, a) there is heavy traffic or b) there has been an accident/incident of some sort.
I’m not sure if this is done similarly in Australia, but in Europe (and other parts), these same sensors are linked to the traffic light management system and control traffic lights accordingly. For example, during off-peak (less cars passing past sensors), the lights will stay green for longer because there is no need to change/regulate the traffic as frequently.
Sam Cook
Tuesday, March 8, 2011 at 2:42 PMInteresting. Can’t be the sole source of information, because Google Maps can report on traffic for motorways too – no traffic lights there.
Roman
Tuesday, March 15, 2011 at 2:54 AMI’ve seen the similar cameras above overpasses between the Gold Coast and Brisbane (along the M1) as I’ve seen at major traffic lights (not speed or redlight cameras)
I’ve always assumed that they were to monitor for accidents and traffic on the motorway.
Sam Cook
Tuesday, March 8, 2011 at 2:38 PMNow all Google needs to do, is combine Google Maps Navigation with MyTracks, so it can calculate the average speed and travel time, based of those using Navigation, upload that data back into the Google cloud, which could then be used by other Navigation user’s for identifying the best route automatically.
…My god, they’ll take over the world!
Anouk
Tuesday, March 8, 2011 at 4:30 PMIndeed Sam, I’d assume – in addition – they use data from our mobile devices, etc. and throw those metrics into the mix as well. The more info they can mine, they better for us :)
I like the MyTracks suggestion!