Canadian city tracks drivers’ Bluetooth headsets move to predict traffic jams

Skift Take

It’s impressive to see a city taking the time and money to offer innovative tech solutions to everyday travel problems as many of the currently available options are crowdsourced or privately built apps.

Bluetooth is good for more than silly headsets and wireless speakers. The city of Calgary, Alberta, is using the technology to give drivers real-time information about travel time during their commute.

The Travel Time Information System along Calgary’s Deerfoot Trail anonymously collects Bluetooth signals from mobile phones, headsets and other devices to estimate travel times and gauge congestion. Travel times are then displayed on electronic signs along the roadway.

A central server at the city’s traffic management center collects the data from 15 sensors and sends traffic info to seven roadside displays.

Samantha Shankman

December 29th, 2012 at 12:34 AM EST

Tags: commuters traffic

Photo Credit: Traffic jams are the norm during peak travel hours in Singapore (pictured), just like in most major cities around the world. Flickr.com / epSos.de

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Canadian city tracks drivers’ Bluetooth headsets to predict traffic jams

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Canadian city tracks drivers’ Bluetooth headsets to predict traffic jams

Skift Take

Up Next

How Data Quality Issues Impact Global Hospitality Operations

The White Lotus Effect Could Be a Disaster for Thailand's Koh Samui - And Travel Media Is Making it Worse

Travel Startups Raise $580 Million Over Two Weeks

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Accor CEO: Opening Hotels in Mykonos Too Risky due to Climate Change

First read is on us.Subscribe to read more essential travel industry news.

First read is on us.
Subscribe to read more essential travel industry news.