By Mark Yeong

Let’s face it, life is never as predictable as we would like it to be and things do not go as planned from time to time. In the case of travel, we know that various factors will delay travel time and some of these include being unable to find the location or perhaps traffic build up due to accidents. Through these experiences, we start to find ways and means to counter these unpredictable occurrences, the simplest being to leave early so that we can be at the destination on time or studying a map to determine the shortest route.

Technology has however slowly provided better ways for us to improve our travel, getting us to our desired destinations on time and saving us from sitting though traffic congestions, which may last for hours.

Getting to the correct place

Sometimes having a street directory is simply not enough and to know how to get to your desired location in theory is sometimes very different when you try to actually do it. GPS systems identified these issues as they started to target the mass and generic consumer market by allowing us to plot out a navigation route and have the system provide guidance to our desired location, saving us time, effort and a whole lot of stress.

Beyond standard navigation

In the bid to attract more listeners and maintain its viewership levels, radio stations started to provide traffic information updates to drivers who tune into their favorite station for the latest traffic updates, so that certain key roads can be avoided if required.

This was a good system and drivers were able to avoid congestions, taking alternate routes saving time and spending these precious hours for more productive activities instead of getting stuck in traffic jams.

In order to make things more efficient this traffic information was then paired with GPS navigation systems to not just provide the shortest route but also the least congested route.

Real-time Traffic Info

So what is real-time traffic info? In a nutshell, real-time traffic feeds information on collisions, roadworks and traffic jams. After the feed is received the device can dynamically re-route you to avoid a traffic event and offer alternative route.

Information on traffic is provided by road traffic data providers. These companies use various methods to acquire raw data from the field, e.g. governments’ road management authorities, automotive clubs, police and fleet management companies.

Traditionally, this information is fed to the GPS system via FM radio signals, and allow the system to know and understand the traffic situation. GPS companies like Garmin have tied up with traffic information providers like NAVTEQ to let their customers with lifetime subscription to traffic info feeds over the air when a special attachment to the GPS is purchased.

Nokia Real-time Traffic Info

Nokia’s traffic info is based on information being fed via Internet service. Instead of using FM signals to send data, users connect via Nokia Maps to retrieve real time traffic information, this is especially useful as each country adopts different radio systems, however accessing data over the local phone network is rather universal through the world.

FM signals have the advantage in the fact that it doesn’t require data downloads which might incur additional data charges. Real-time traffic information services however have still yet to set foot on our shores, but be assured that Nokia will be looking into the Asia Pacific market, which of course includes Singapore.