New York State’s Department of Transportation has integrated Google Maps with its system for reporting traffic conditions, giving travelers more up-to-date information.
The department’s Condition Acquisition Reporting System Web product, known as Cars Web, reports information on roadwork, accidents and closures.
New York CIO Michael Mittleman announced in an April newsletter that the traffic information tool was integrated with Google Maps and is available to the public.
Because Google Maps has such a nice API, users can zoom in, read maps and view satellite photos for traffic information.
Google Maps improved the representations of New York’s local, state and federal roads and highways. Now the state’s traffic information system provides details within a minute, instead of information from 15 to 20 minutes earlier.
New York’s transportation department Web site provides safety information, weather advisories and regional road construction reports.
Google Mobile Maps provides free live traffic information on cell phones.
Now if other states would pick up on this great technology and integrate it with car GPS systems, I’d be a happy camper.
