Researchers develop inexpensive software for realtime traffic data

Researchers have developed a new inexpensive software that provides real time data on traffic and can help drivers choose the fastest route to their destinations.

The SIPEsCa project (Spanish for Low Cost Autonomous Information and Prediction System for Real Time Data on the State of Roads using Distributed Devices) has been developed by researchers at the University of Granada in Spain. The new computer software can provide information real time information on traffic between cities to individual users through mobile phone alerts or web-based devices. The researchers added that the service is very reliable, low-cost method that is easy to install. 

The devices collects real-time data on road traffic which is then sent to a central server. The research team added that the data collected by them is never associated with any specific user, so its very secure and users privacy is not violated.

"Thanks to this new method we have been able to monitor traffic density and movement on an individual basis, as vehicle users move between nodes within the zone in question," Castillo said. He added that these devices can capture the signals broadcast by the different technological components inside each vehicle, like hands free devices or GPS and the drivers mobile phone.

According to Prof. Castillo, this information system developed at the University of Granada "facilitates real time information on the state of traffic, not only for institutions and authorities in charge of traffic regulation and control, but also for individual users—though mobile phone alerts or web-based devices".

Researchers at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology have developing a new sensor that can measures accurately particulate matter (fine dust) levels in the air to draw up a pollution map. The sensor can be attached with a smartphone with a magnet to take a photo or video for measuring pollution. Users can download the corresponding app to measure pollution levels. The researchers added that the sensor would be useful in aggregating data to generate pollution maps.

Source: Technobahn