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

  • Idaho adds human dimension to winter savings
    September 23, 2014
    Idaho leverages the increased capability and reliability of its road weather sensor network to reduce costs and prevent accidents. Weather-related accidents can form a significant chunk of an authorities’ annual road casualty statistics. While authorities cannot control the weather, the technology exists to monitor the road conditions and react with warnings to motorists and the treatment of icy or snow-covered roads. However, with all capital expenditure now placed under the microscope of public scrutiny,
  • Panasonic in Colorado: Rocky mountain way
    December 3, 2018
    Panasonic is at the heart of a C-V2X project which began last year in Colorado. The company’s smart mobility boss Chris Armstrong tells Adam Hill how it is working out Colorado needs traffic and transport solutions – and fast. The US state’s population has grown 50% in the last 20 years and another 50% hike is predicted in the next 20. It also spends more than $13 billion in roadway crash costs each year. In 2015, 546 people died in traffic-related crashes, and more than 3,000 were seriously injured.
  • Creative finance enables parking progress in LA
    March 15, 2016
    David Crawford investigates an innovative public/private partnership. Los Angeles entered the second decade of the 21st century facing major challenges to its parking operations. With a population of 3.8 million, and its car-oriented culture still predominant, the city's parking meters were technically outdated - with most only accepting coins and many regularly out of service - resulting in a substantial loss of revenue. This coincided with a number of Californian cities looking to parking income to boost
  • Bluetooth real time traffic information on trial in New Zealand
    July 12, 2016
    New Zealand companies HMI Technologies and rental car company GO Rentals are trialling a real time traffic information system in 50 rental cars travelling between Christchurch and Queenstown. RouteTIP roadside beacons send simple, location-specific messages to the hands-free RouteTIP app on the user’s smartphone to provide drivers with information on hazards and traffic congestion ahead, alerts about road conditions, reminders of speed restrictions, journey time information and much more.