Google Earth Traffic Layer

[exdos]

If you activate the Traffic Layer in Google Earth all the main roads are dotted with green, amber or red dots, and if you click on any of them, it gives the traffic speed. I'm wondering how it does this?

There a far more dots than there are Trafficmaster monitors (those dark blue poles with things that look like radar guns at the top). So, how does the information used in the Traffic Layer get there and what is the time delay between actual time of the recordings and the appearance on the Layer and what is the refresh rate?

 

[BMWZ4MC]

Try creating a road block and monitor the response - that should answer half your questions

 

[Vidge]

Que big brother paranoia: I understand it is actually done using mobile phone signals and the speed with which large groups of phones move from Cell to Cell, if there is a very large number between two Cell towers that are moving slowly that information is fed to Traffic master.

not sure how true that is but its what i was told

 

[Carol M]

Yes it is to do with mobile phone signals. I read this ages ago as I wondered too.

 

[marchantsuk]

There are a number of ways, typically Google will be taking the GPS position from your device when you are driving and use this along with SIM details. All of this is passed through a fusion engine and the data is spat back out showing current traffic details.
We (TomTom) have offered this for many years and it's far superior to Google. take a look http://www.tomtom.com/livetraffic/?Lid=1

 

[Carol M]

There are a number of ways, typically Google will be taking the GPS position from your device when you are driving and use this along with SIM details. All of this is passed through a fusion engine and the data is spat back out showing current traffic details.
We (TomTom) have offered this for many years and it's far superior to Google. take a look http://www.tomtom.com/livetraffic/?Lid=1

You work for TomTom? grrrrrrr.

 

[mmm-five]

There are a number of ways, typically Google will be taking the GPS position from your device when you are driving and use this along with SIM details. All of this is passed through a fusion engine and the data is spat back out showing current traffic details.
We (TomTom) have offered this for many years and it's far superior to Google. take a look http://www.tomtom.com/livetraffic/?Lid=1

Surely that would only be the case for those who are using google maps for navigation, as it is true for the tomtom system and the users of HD traffic (like me).

TomTom is currently saying I should get home in 3h30m, and I'm leaving at 3:30pm, so let's see

ETA:
Well, not too bad, but still an hour longer than forecast - and the warning for slow traffic on the M6 kept coming & going, so one minute there was a 20 minute delay and the next it was clear. Knew I should have headed into Wales via Telford as that would have taken the same time, but been more enjoyable.

 

[tomotomotomo]

From the Google blog:

http://googleblog.blogspot.co.uk/2009/08/bright-side-of-sitting-in-traffic.html

 

[original guvnor]

aper:

 

[gannet]

erm, small point, but how does google know Im driving down a road - I could simply be walking :?

 

[Anonymous]

erm, small point, but how does google know Im driving down a road - I could simply be walking :?

Because its actually watching you with one of those cars with the camera pod on the top.

Admittedly, your face will be blurred and your number plate blurred, but it will know!

Google is your friend......

 

[buzyg]

erm, small point, but how does google know Im driving down a road - I could simply be walking :?

Because its actually watching you with one of those cars with the camera pod on the top.

but it will know!

Google is your friend......

Wives have been doing this for years there knowledge of what men are up to is far greater than Google’s will ever be.
I think it's done with vanity mirrors and smoke signals.

(Hope my wife doesn't read this)