Redirecting Traffic

It use to be the only way to get traffic information revolved around waiting for radio stations to give an update, and even then it might not cover the road you were driving.

The Washington Post writes about new technologies, such as email alerts, interactive maps, satellite radio,and mopbile devices that are allowing people on the go to get real-time traffic reports. NPD analyst Stephen Baker notes that "local radio stations have often complained about such new technologies, because they encroach on a service that was once their exclusive domain."

One of the new mobile services comes from Palm, which just introduced the "Traffic for Treo Smartphones" service for 10 U.S. cities. For less than $5 a month per city, Treo users can get "interactive maps with blinking traffic alerts containing the latest information about local traffic speed, accidents, construction and stalled cars on the roads" sent to their handset.

Since the Treo 650 lacks a GPS chip, "Traffic for Treo Smartphones" is not a true location-based service and some level of interaction on the users part will be required to get more detailed traffic information. It is a start and if and when Treo offers models with GPS technology then the potential and usefulness of the service will be even greater...

via Washington Post (site registration required)