how does google maps real time traffic work?

Question by q4norm.answ3rs: how does google maps real time traffic work?
how does google maps real time traffic work?

Now, I already know google collects their data from an amalgamation of sources, such as various city-maintained cameras that report to databases on the real time road conditions in their area.

What I want to know are the specifics. This is what most people DON'T know and don't know how to find out either. Here are my questions:

-Whats the *exact* name of the API call google uses to retrieve that data, and what parameters do they pass? Can you supply a real-world working example of such an API call?
-What kind of technology do the cameras use - radar, infrared, motion sensors etcetera? How is the device powered?
-Can you supply a link to a web page where I can buy such a camera or speed monitoring device?
-What are the typical intervals bewteen cameras on a highway? 1/4 a mile? half a mile? two miles? Do you know how often these devices have to be serviced?
-Can you tell drivers how to spot and identify speed-monitoring cameras on the highway?
-Does google have to pay various sums of money to access this traffic information?

SPECIFIC DETAILED KNOWLEDGEABLE ANSWERS ONLY PLEASE!!!

Thanks guys!!
I found the answer to my first question: the API is called "GTrafficOverlay.show()" and has no parameters.

If you can send me a link to the source code for the show() function that would be awesome (probably you can't) thx!
I now have the answer to my second question, as follows:

When most traffic data collection professionals think about "continuous data collection," they think of automatic traffic recorders (ATR). These devices (most incorporating inductance loop detectors) have been used for many years to monitor traffic at specific locations and to produce the factors applied to short duration traffic volume counts in order to estimate annual average traffic volume conditions.

taken from: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/ohim/tmguide/tmg2.htm#Automatic%20Traffic%20Recorders
Here is the answer to my third question: a link where you can but an advanced traffic monitoring device: http://www.jamartech.com/ATRs.html
hey - can someone answer this question so it doesn't get removed? just say "hi!"


Best answer:

Answer by Angel A
Hi, I'm trying to find the answer to this questions myself, if I get any additional information I will post it here.

Would you mind contacting me? I left the option of emailing me available.

Hope this buys you some more time.

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