INRIX Traffic comes to the iPhone

Aug

Posted by Hammbone

Apps, App Store, iPhone

Traffic data aggregator Inrix, the company supplying some of the live traffic information used by BMW in its navigation systems, has released a free iPhone app that lets you view traffic information without buying a BMW. The Inrix Traffic app uses a particularly simple interface, a map of your area (located using GPS) that shows traffic flow information and incidents on local roadways. This information is similar to what you would find on an online map or in-car navigation device. Where the Inrix Traffic app differs from these other outlets is its Forecast function, which lets you see what traffic is predicted to look like up to an hour in advance.

Inrix gathers its information from a variety of sources, including local traffic authorities, commercial fleet vehicles that serve as traffic probes, and event schedules, such as sports games. The Inrix Traffic app adds another information source: you. Install and run the app, and it reports its speed and location to Inrix servers, enhancing the quality of the traffic data. Inrix not only uses this information to create a live report, but it also studies the data to understand historical trends, thereby being able to provide its unique traffic forecasting service.

As with most traffic reporting services, coverage is limited to major roads and freeways in specific regions. According to Inrix, it has coverage in 126 cities in the U.S.

We ran the app and compared its information with the traffic feature on Google Maps. Looking at traffic in the San Francisco Bay Area, Google Maps clearly had more road coverage than Inrix Traffic. For example, where Google showed free flowing traffic on Highway 1 from Daly City to Pacifica, Inrix Traffic offered no information. Looking across the country, coverage by Inrix Traffic looks complete for the New York City area, but we found a few spots where Google had the edge, such as Prospect Expressway in Brooklyn, covered by Google, but not Inrix Traffic.

This wasn’t a definitive test, as there are many other areas of the country to compare. We also didn’t compare the accuracy of the traffic reporting, although in certain areas, Inrix Traffic showed different traffic flow information than Google Maps.

INRIX is the leading provider of traffic information in North America, powering data for over 80 companies delivering popular commercial and consumer applications.

As with most traffic reporting services, coverage is limited to major roads and freeways in specific regions. According to Inrix, it has coverage in 126 cities in the U.S.

Features

Real-time traffic flow maps on over 160,000 miles of roadways
Unique predictive traffic shows how traffic will change over the next hour
Details on traffic incidents, construction, road closures & events
Powered by the INRIX Smart Driver Network, the largest crowd-sourced traffic network in the world, which ensures you always have the most current traffic info with the broadest coverage and superior accuracy
Free

Utilizing the INRIX Smart Driver Network, every driver in the network anonymously and automatically sends their speed, position and heading to INRIX Smart Driver Network servers. INRIX intelligently combines your information with real-time data from other drivers and traditional road sensors and then instantaneously updates the traffic maps on INRIX TRAFFIC! Everyone in the network benefits from up-to-the-minute, accurate traffic information with superior road coverage.

You can quickly view real-time traffic flow maps in 126 cities across the U.S., and Canada and on over 160,000 miles of freeways and highways (including all interstates) – more than 3X the road coverage of any other app!

And with the Predictive Traffic Forecast feature, you can look into the future to see how traffic speeds are expected to change over the next hour. Inrix’s unique predictive technology analyzes commonly known traffic-impacting factors such as current traffic conditions, day of the week, season, holidays, accidents and road construction, as well as other local events such as school schedules, sports games and concerts, to accurately predict traffic in 15 minute increments.

You’ll also be able to get details for traffic incidents, construction, road closures and events including concerts, ball games and other sporting events, powered by the Clear Channel Total Traffic Network.