How useful is the real-time traffic information?

I'm interested in upgrading my GPS to get the real-time traffic info,
but I've been trying to find out how active the updates to traffic
conditions are. That is, if an accident takes place on a major roadway
and traffic immediately backs up, about how long will it take before
that information is incorporated into the GPS system for drivers to be
alerted? If it takes 20 minutes or more, I suspect that I'll still end
up stuck in traffic since congestion comes and goes fairly quickly in
various parts of my city. The road construction information would be
more reliable.

For those of you using the service, have you found it has reported
some intersections or roadways as congested even though the problem
that triggered that report had already cleared up?

Thanks for any info!

fperazelli@gmail.com wrote:


The problem I have with the FM traffic info is that it only covers the
highways. So, if there is a back-up on the main road, you have no way
of knowing how the side roads are doing.

--
Please reply to the group, not by email. The email address in the
header is not valid unless you remove the obvious.

.... EXACTLY! so you know the main road is dorked.... and all the
locals have bailed onto their (already known) Plan "B" roads and you
being a clueless person just passing through.... the GPS not having
any knowledge at all of the bail out traffic on the alternate routes -
sends you down an alternate route - because the GPS has no sensor data
for the alternate route.

Of course.. even if it did (and they might someday)... what would
happen?

I suspect... the unit (if smart enough) would come back ..and in a
nice way... tell you that you are F...ed.... anyhow.. :-)

In the real world,.... I...

a. - try not to arrive at an urban destination that I am not familiar
with - at rush hour
b. - if for some reason... I end up there in the thick of it... I will
retire to a restaurant for drinks and a meal.....

the CONCEPT of real-time status info is pretty awesome... but to
actually pull it off so that it becomes fairly timely and reliable...
is going to take more time on task.

If "real time" isn't any better than the radio reports of traffic accidents
in Houston...then it will be worthless. I can't tell about you the many
times that I've heard about a "wreck ahead" only to arrive moments later and
find it already cleared up..and....of course, vice versa. Rich

rich wrote:

Well .. except at least you don't have to be glued
to the radio to hear about it ;-)

Phil