Traffic info on GPS question.

[luke scott]

Just back from a trip in the UK. Can any of you clever guys please explain how the "traffic" feature on the Nuvi 660 works please. I got a message telling me traffic ahead. I open it and it tells me traffic between junctin XXX etc etc. It was very accurate. So the question is who supplies this info ?? Police ? AA? RAC ?? We dont have it here in Ireland so just curious.

 

[araspitfire]

The motorways with the variable speed limit signs are part of a system to limit the dangerous effect of "traffic waves"... and also to give warning to cars that an accident has happened up ahead and slow down...

The data from this system, as well as other data (from the police at least) is broadcast in the data area beside FM radio frequencies.. (and published on the Internet)... Of course the data to the signs has to be very up to date for the signs to do their job...

The Garmin Traffic reciever just turns it into geo data and sends it to the GPS.

Al...

 

[luke scott]

Well we got the "waves" effect, it stopped and then sped up for no reason. Thanks for the reply.

 

[Schtum]

More correctly, the information in the UK is provided by Trafficmaster.... http://www.trafficmaster.co.uk/

If you've seen the cameras on tall navy blue posts on all UK trunk roads, those are Trafficmaster cameras.

To confirm this... http://www8.garmin.com/traffic/fm/index.jsp

 

[John Armstrong]

More correctly, the information in the UK is provided by Trafficmaster.... http://www.trafficmaster.co.uk/

I'd agree with Schtum, btw in my limited experience you only seem to get a decent amount of information near the large conurbations, Leeds / Birmingham / Manchester etc. Guess that's where you're most likely to hit the jams most of the time though

 

[andyclift]

Trafficmaster works on just about every M and A road in UK plus main routes in towns. I have the traffic receiver plug-in for my 2720 which I use in the car but can't see the point on the bike.