Real time traffic maps

Alright, so it looks like there is a company that is doing some real time traffic mapping based on publicly available information. There are also groups trying to create devices that will be installed in cars to transmit the speed and coordinates for cars all over.

The problem with the first is that it only deals with major arteries. If you know the major artery is clogged, how do you know where else to go? The second one is a solution to the problem, but there is no way they are going to get an installed base.

There are a couple of possible solutions to this that will get you an instant installed base.

New Cell phones (like nextel) have GPS. You would need to build software into the cell phones that would know when the user is driving, but once that is done you will have an instant source of millions of drivers that will give you reasonable coverage over all roads, not just major arteries.

Onstar is installed in many GM cars. No one is buying it, but it is there. On star has all the pieces necessary to create this system. If you can cut a deal with GM you could potentially also get coverage.

In conjunction with the publicly available traffic info, a reasonably robust and comprehensive system is definitely possible that can cover the entire country.