Monday, November 25, 2002
New Traffic Service Coming From Mapopolis.com
Posted by Brad Adrian in "SOFTWARE" @ 07:09 PM
http://www.mapopolis.com/index.jsp
You probably know Mapopolis.com as the provider of excellent navigation and mapping software. The combination of Mapopolis.com maps and a Pocket PC amounts to one of the slickest navigation setups I've seen for helping me get where I want to go. Coming in early 2003, though, is a new Mapopolis service that promises to make sure I reach my destination even quicker.
"The new product actively searches for accidents, slow downs and construction on the user's route and re-routes them if necessary to avoid it. The new product will be available to consumers in the first quarter of 2003 ($19.95 per month). It is a turn-key, PDA-based solution including real-time traffic and navigation for all major US metropolitan areas... The software incorporates proprietary new routing technology developed by Mapopolis. When an accident is detected, the software alerts the user, and depending on user configurable parameters, will either present alternative routes or begin automatically providing new instructions."
This is really intriguing to me, and I asked Jeremy Straub, Mapopolis.com Vice President, for a few details. The service utilizes traffic flow sensors that are installed in most major metropolitan highways. When a traffic slowdown is detected, the Mapopolis.com service sends the notification to the user's Pocket PC via any available Internet connection (CDMA, GSM, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, etc.). Then, it uses predictive routing algorithms to identify alternate routes and calculates updated travel times.
Granted, I'd have to be doing a lot of traveling to justify the monthly fee, but it sure sounds a heck of a lot better than my present method for getting around accidents: a wife who allows me to steer the car while she does all the "driving" from her seat.
You probably know Mapopolis.com as the provider of excellent navigation and mapping software. The combination of Mapopolis.com maps and a Pocket PC amounts to one of the slickest navigation setups I've seen for helping me get where I want to go. Coming in early 2003, though, is a new Mapopolis service that promises to make sure I reach my destination even quicker.
"The new product actively searches for accidents, slow downs and construction on the user's route and re-routes them if necessary to avoid it. The new product will be available to consumers in the first quarter of 2003 ($19.95 per month). It is a turn-key, PDA-based solution including real-time traffic and navigation for all major US metropolitan areas... The software incorporates proprietary new routing technology developed by Mapopolis. When an accident is detected, the software alerts the user, and depending on user configurable parameters, will either present alternative routes or begin automatically providing new instructions."
This is really intriguing to me, and I asked Jeremy Straub, Mapopolis.com Vice President, for a few details. The service utilizes traffic flow sensors that are installed in most major metropolitan highways. When a traffic slowdown is detected, the Mapopolis.com service sends the notification to the user's Pocket PC via any available Internet connection (CDMA, GSM, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, etc.). Then, it uses predictive routing algorithms to identify alternate routes and calculates updated travel times.
Granted, I'd have to be doing a lot of traveling to justify the monthly fee, but it sure sounds a heck of a lot better than my present method for getting around accidents: a wife who allows me to steer the car while she does all the "driving" from her seat.
