October 21, 2008

The Highways Agency has made its traffic data available to Google(tm) for use within their brand new Google Maps(tm) traffic feature, giving live real-time traffic information.

The basic premise is simple; it overlays a colour-coded layer representing the average speeds on England's motorways and major 'A' road network onto the Google Map(tm), the different colours used to indicate the current speed of traffic.

The traffic information is fed to Google(tm) in a Datex II format, which is a European standard, developed specifically for road data information exchange and provides real-time traffic information and predictions.  These are based on past conditions, including weather conditions, helping motorists to plan their journeys ahead to avoid congestion.

Denise Plumpton, Director of Information at the Highways Agency commented: "I'm delighted that we are the first country in Europe to work with Google(tm) and use our information for the benefit of road users across the country. This sort of project is a key part of our information strategy aimed at getting traffic information out to motorists where and when they need it.

"We work regularly with third party organisations in order to get our information to as wide an audience as possible. We have also recently provided the BBC with access to our traffic cameras to allow road users to check the conditions on the internet before they leave. We look forward to working with other partners in the future."

The data, provided by the Agency's National Traffic Control Centre in Birmingham, is also available on the Highways Agency's own Traffic England website (http://www.highways.gov.uk/traffic). This site also provides drivers with current and predicted driving conditions. It even offers a view of what is currently being displayed on electronic motorway signs and can tell the average speed between any two junctions on the motorway network, extremely useful for last minute planning.

Traffic England is just one of the information services available from the Highways Agency, who also have a 24 hour traffic phone line 08700 660 115 and a digital radio station, Traffic Radio, which is available on both DAB digital radio and via the internet at http://www.trafficradio.org.uk.

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