Online Traffic Data

Almost all cities and counties have a GIS system and most of them include traffic data. Indianapolis is no exception.  However, they now enjoy an additional means to share their traffic data. Online Traffic Data utilizes the Google maps platform to simultaneously display traffic data from multiple agencies using software everyone already has and already knows how to use: Google Maps.  Because Indianapolis had several hundred data points, the file format included lat/long information allowing for easy import into our database. Check it out:  www.OnlineTrafficData.com.

Not today, but I am considering a “ghosting” technique to aid in comparing previous data point to active data point (see artist’s conception below):

Excerpt from Tuscon DOT presentation

Each data source is identified by a unique icon. Next version of OTD will include info for contacting the data provider of the data (useful if you need more detailed info such as peak hour, classification, speed data, etc.). For now, suffice it to say sources include government agencies and/or traffic engineers. As an aside, I am in discussions right now with a state agency regarding the importation of all their data. This state does not collect data annually but estimates (or projects) the missing years. I must admit that in light of the unusual trends in ADT of late, I am hesitant to depict “projected data” and will likely only import actual ADT’s…

Interestingly enough, I have heard this question more than once (I have heard it twice). I guess people are suspicious of clicking buttons. Could it be because they consider their social security number some big secret? Or they think it’s none of my business if they have a dog or not or when they are usually away from home? What’s with all the paranoia???

Here’s my problem, whenever someone clicks that button, I get an email and then I feel like I need to actually send them some additional info. That’s tough because there is no additional info. So I have to make stuff up. Maybe I should just delete the button…

OK, the words out.  And yep, you can enter your data for free.  And trust me, you get what you pay for (wait, I’m not sure that’s the phrase I was looking for).  Anyway, I’m running into more and more people who are familiar with OnlineTrafficData and those who use it continue to add data where ever they can find it (it’s so eeeeeeasy!).

Keeping my eyes open for someone with massive amounts of data (multiple years, whole county or state) to demo elctronic import.  Just need DB file with lat, long, date, ADT – that’s the minimum.  If you have street name or other info that would be great too.

Currently working on data proximity settings so icons don’t cover street map when zoomed out too far (but why would you zoom out too far?).  People do it, not sure why.  Does look kind of cool…in fact, will probably be the graphic for our next t-shirt design…

Yep, 24-hr traffic volumes.  And multiple years are shown visually by colored bar charts whenever you click an icon.  So, you can tell at a glance if traffic is increasing, decreasing, or staying level each time you click. 

Also,  there are a couple optional fields where you can put counter ID number’s, 85th percentile speeds, notes regarding road construction, etc. (see below).  I am refraining (at this point) from including peak hour data, truck percents, bi-directional volumes, etc. because I want keep this simple, simple to enter data, and simple to view.  If a user is interested in the finer things, they can always contact the agency who entered the data (identifed by virtue of a unique icon).  At least that’s the plan, for now, as of this moment…

Check it out: http://www.onlinetrafficdata.com

Some user-definable fields without sacrificing overall simplicity

Because it is that important to me.  I do not want you to miss it (plus my programmer messed up). Satellite and Terrain are cool too, but Map is where the action is.  Check it out — check it out twice.

Update:  My programmer has repaired this duplicative representation of the “Map” button.  By popular demand however, I may need to to ask him to put it back…

Yeah, but you could be cooler.  The only people who can really use GIS’s have experience in engineering, planning, or IT.  Admit it, as cool as a GIS system is, it is NOT something your wife could use (or hasband–sorry).  The general public does not use it, most of the agency staff can’t use it, many don’t even know how to access it (or want to). And if they did have instructions on how to use it, would give up pretty quickly (probably when instructed to download and install the Autodesk viewer or similar).  There are easier systems out there but I won’t mention them because they make it harder for me to make my point 

Don’t get me wrong–I love GIS and Online Traffic Data does not replace it, rather it is an additional way to access data, specifically, traffic data.  It is an easy way to enter and view traffic data from multiple agencies all in one place using a method everyone already knows how to use (Google Maps).

Want to make someone happy?  Put their traffic data online: Simple to view, simple to use.