Your Cell Phone, The Traffic Reporter

Wireless Week has a nice feature article up right now exploring current cell phone-based services designed to supply traffic information, what those services currently offer, and where they’re headed. Many observers believe that the field of location-based navigation is primed for an explosion in popularity, citing real-time access to traffic info as one of the most asked about cell phone features.

A new cottage industry of data suppliers has sprung up to gather real-time information through impressive multi-faceted networks. One such company, Inrix, collects data from GPS devices on taxis, delivery vehicles, and hauling trucks to establish an accurate picture of speed, location, and other information critical to traffic conditions. Another, AirSage, actually works with cell phone signals to compile an accurate, up-to-the-minute snapshot of a commute. In some cases, live cameras provide visual aids. Essentially, we get a living, breathing map. From there, customizable applications pump that info straight to your phone, so you’ll always know what lies ahead.

This sort of stuff is already making inroads in certain luxury cars and stand-alone devices, but it won’t hit the mainstream until it thrives in popular cell phone models, and you’re able to hear audio alerts and updates through your Bluetooth connection. That day’s not too far off.