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Filed under: Internet, Web services, Google, Microsoft, Search, web 2.0

Google Maps adds traffic predictions

by Brad Linder Apr 17th 2008

Google Traffic predictions
Just a few days after Microsoft rolled out a new traffic prediction feature for Windows Live Maps, Google has followed suit with traffic predictions for Google Maps. Both services use historical traffic data to predict likely congestion points and travel time in the future. But there are two major differences:
  1. Windows Live Maps will suggest the best driving directions for avoiding traffic, Google Maps will not
  2. Google Maps lets you choose the day of the week and time of day to see projected traffic patterns, Windows Live Maps will not.
While both services are pretty useful, what we really want is a service that will combine both of these features. Mapquest, we're looking at you.

[via Google Operating System]

Tags: google-maps, predictions, traffic, windows-live-maps

Filed under: Internet, Web services, Microsoft

Avoid traffic with Windows Live Maps

by Brad Linder Apr 10th 2008

Clearview
Over the past year or so, pretty much every major online mapping service has added some sort of real-time traffic detection system. But while these systems will let you know which roads to avoid, for the most part they don't do a great job of presenting you with alternatives. Now Microsoft has added a new technology called Clearflow to its Live Maps service which will let you choose a route based on traffic.

What this means is you can now choose to search for the shortest route by time or distance, and you can also have Live Maps redirect you to avoid heavily congested areas. The system is available for 72 US cities at the moment.

The system predicts traffic by time of day, weather, sports events and other factors, so it doesn't rely solely on real-time conditions to determine the best routes although live data is taken into account as well. While the interface is clean and easy to use, we don't see an easy way to let Live Maps know what time you plan to make your trip, which sort of defeats the purpose.

[via New York Times]

Tags: clearflow, directions, maps, route, traffic, windows-live-maps

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