Skip to main content

Crowd-sourced data feed enhances traffic monitoring

In the US, NaviGAtor 511, Georgia’s traveller information system, has partnered with Waze to provide enhanced traffic information. Waze, a crowd-sourced social GPS and real-time traffic application for smartphones and Android phones, will provide enhanced traffic data to the current 511 system, and create a special 511 user group, specifically for Georgia travelers, within the existing Waze mobile app. The arrangement was provided for under an existing marketing contract with Iteris, the firm that has opera
November 20, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
In the US, 6896 NaviGAtor 511, Georgia’s traveller information system, has partnered with 6897 Waze to provide enhanced traffic information. Waze, a crowd-sourced social GPS and real-time traffic application for smartphones and Android phones, will provide enhanced traffic data to the current 511 system, and create a special 511 user group, specifically for Georgia travelers, within the existing Waze mobile app.

The arrangement was provided for under an existing marketing contract with Iteris, the firm that has operated and maintained the Georgia NaviGAtor 511 system since 2006.

NaviGAtor 511 is a sponsor-supported, free public service of the Georgia Department of Transportation that enhances transportation mobility, safety, and efficiency by providing travellers with real-time, route-specific travel information and 24/7 access to live operators.  The system delivers current information on incidents, road construction, and weather conditions statewide. In the Atlanta metro market area, NaviGAtor 511 not only provides congestion information, but also access to HERO (Highway Emergency Response Operator) motorist assistance.

Waze collects traffic data from its 29 million users, or “Wazers,” worldwide, who augment real-time traffic conditions through citizen-based traffic, hazard, and incident reporting. The data will then be verified by Georgia DOT and populated to NaviGAtor 511’s website and phone system.

The Waze smart phone application is available for free from the app store on iPhone, iPad and iPod touch or online.  In addition to real-time, crowd-sourced traffic data, Waze offers a number of hands-free features, such as: voice-guided turn-by-turn navigation; voice-activated user reporting of road hazards, construction, incidents, congestion; user-set voice commands; and automated verbal notification of upcoming incidents or conditions.

“Commuters know that they can help each other reduce the stress and inconvenience of traffic simply by turning on our app,” said Chris Butler, director of business development for Waze. “Moving forward, we’re excited to be working with Georgia DOT and Iteris on the NaviGAtor 511 system to offer these expanded benefits and increased exposure to the Georgia Wazers.”

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Iteris & Otonomo 'unlock mobility infrastructure'
    January 25, 2023
    Connected vehicle data will be shared by companies to improve traffic intelligence
  • When weather warnings get hyperlocal
    August 24, 2016
    David Crawford looks at new technologies to cope with the age-old problem of driving in bad weather. On the 10-year average, between 2005 and 2014 bad weather contributed to more than 1.5 million vehicle crashes in the US each year, resulting in more than 800,000 injuries and 7,400 deaths. These were the findings of analysis by Booz Allen Hamilton of NHTSA data which concluded that the loss of life, hospital treatment and damage to assets costs an annual average of $42bn.
  • Cooperative infrastructure systems waiting for the go ahead
    February 3, 2012
    Despite much research and technological promise, progress towards cooperative infrastructure system deployment is still slow. Here, Robert Cone and John Miles take a considered look at how and when it might come about. From a systems engineering viewpoint it looks logical and inevitable that vehicles should be communicating between themselves and with the road infrastructure. But seen from a business viewpoint the case is not proven.
  • TCS to provide HopStop public transport routing
    May 10, 2012
    HopStop, a popular pedestrian navigation and transit routing service covering cities in the US, Canada, Europe and Russia, has been selected by TeleCommunication Systems, a specialist in mobile communication technology to provide public transportation directions for TCS’ navigation services. The HopStop service will extends TCS’ navigation and search functionalities, giving its customers and business partners a location-based ecosystem that connects existing applications and services without the need to cus