Using google's data to improve traffic flow

[ivymike]

Maybe this is already done somewhere, but it occurred to me while driving home the other day that the stoplights near my office could benefit from a little awareness of commuting traffic patterns (so we don't have a single direction backed up for a mile while the other directions get useless green lights w/no traffic passing).

A method that came to mind for providing the awareness was to link a traffic light controller to a source of data about real-time traffic conditions (like google maps traffic data or waze info) ... with that data and the right algorithms, the lights in the area of a back-up could adjust the timing/duration of green signals to allow cars to flow more efficiently.

When the gov't employees across the street from my office all get off work at simultaneously at 5pm and flood into the neighborhood, the lights could bias to allow flow away from that spot for the next few minutes, preventing the ridiculous 5pm jam.

 

[swall]

It is my understanding that OnStar is a hybrid system. GPS to track the vehicle, but normal cell phone towers for the communication.

 

[BigInch]

Revised

 

[IRstuff]

According to Wiki, On-star uses CDMA cellular.

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[VEBill]

OnStar is infamous for television and printed ads showing satellites that follow each vehicle around (hovering helpfully above those in need), GPS tracking / emergency signals somehow being emitted from the vehicles to the satellite, and some sort of satellite linked communications network otherwise unknown to science.

Worst tech ads ever.

 

[ivymike]

When a user pushes the OnStar button or a vehicle’s OnStar system senses a crash, critical vehicle data is sent via a wireless connection to OnStar. The cellular carrier providing voice and data communication to the vehicle is Verizon Wireless in the U.S. and Bell Mobility in Canada — both operating on the CDMA mobile network. The fact that the cellular hardware is built into the vehicle allows for better signal throughput (reception) thanks to a more powerful antenna (and cellular/radio attenuation).

Read more:

http://gmauthority.com/blog/2011/06...s-how-onstar-works-infographic/#ixzz3SlrzeJa4

 

[dgallup]

So it still won't work out in the boonies. Too bad it's not satellite phone based, then it could work almost anywhere except tunnels. All my friends tell me I need a cell phone for "safety" but anytime I've actually needed one there were either a whole herd of cell phone carrying people around to make the call or I was so far out in the boonies that no cell phone would work. Where there are no people, there are no cell phone towers.

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