Tools Motorists can use to Avoid Delays and Hazards on the Roads

Google Traffic Map showing the traffic jam after the August 21, 2017, Solar Eclipse

Macon Media uses several tools to find out where traffic is congested or blocked during accidents, heavy traffic flow periods and hazardous weather events in order to share the information with motorists. Among them are the traffic layer in Google Maps and the Waze Traffic App for desktop and mobile devices. These are effective tools that anyone can use to travel more safely on the roads and use to avoid delays, hazards and accidents so you can get to where you want to be as safely as possible and make better time when commuting.




Traffic congestion marked on a Google Traffic Layer Map shared by Macon Media on November 11, 2017


Google Maps Traffic Layer

The Google Maps Traffic Layer works by analyzing the GPS-determined locations and speeds transmitted to Google by a large number of mobile phone users. By calculating the speed of users along a length of road, Google is able to generate a live traffic map. This is so accurate, it even shows where vehicles are stopped for traffic lights, automobile acidents (Macon Media has even identified accidents via the map before it was dispatched by the local EOC). It can also identify the locations of traffic stops and checkpoints. Google recently acquired the Waze traffic app and utilizes information added by Waze Users such as indicating where accidents or speed traps are located to the traffic map layer. Google is also developing a system to warn traffic users of protests that may delay travel or pose a hazard to travel and warn of active shooter or terrorist incidents and active crime scenes so motorists can safely avoid those situations.

The colors indicate the speed of traffic on the road. Green means traffic is moving along as usual and there is normal traffic. Orange means there's heavy traffic and it is moving a bit slower than usual traffic. Red means there are traffic delays. The more red, the slower the speed of traffic on the road.

Check it out for yourself at this LINK.


This map is centered on Franklin, NC. You can move the map to other areas you are interested in seeing. Note that the traffic layer is less effective when there are not many people on the roads and in areas where there is no cell phone service.





Waze Users (also called Wazers) mark the location of an accident and the extent of traffic congestion in Otto, NC on December 27, 2017

Waze

Waze is an app for mobile devices that allows motorists to contribute data to a database that is then displayed on a map on your mobile device (or on the desktop if you have the desktop version). The app takes data from your phone that tracks your location and speed and displays it on a map for you. Data from other users is also displayed. You can see where nearby Waze Users are located and can see messages they add to the map that indicate hazards to traffic, like potholes, icy conditions or trees in the road and cars stopped on the shoulder and can post photos of traffic accidents and their location so you can slow down or take an alternate route. If a Waze User sees a speed trap or notes a police presence, they can add that to the map, too so other motorists will slow down and drive more safely. Motorists and state transportation officials also add information about road closures so motorists can plan a better route to their destination. The app can even locate the cheapest fuel prices near you. Earlier this year, information about carpool lanes and specialized routes for motorcyclists was added. An add-on is also available that will notify you when you are driving through a high-crime area.

You can get the Waze at at the following locations:

Google Play
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.waze

Apple Devices
https://itunes.apple.com/app/apple-store/id323229106

Waze Desktop Live Map 
(uses data from your browser to find your location. Zoom in to see details and click icons for more information)
https://www.waze.com/livemap

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Published at 5:15 am on December 31, 2017

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