Traffic monitoring is most commonly accomplished with government-deployed, dedicated equipment. Adopting new technology in this paradigm can be costly and slow. However, recent advances in the mobile internet, cell phone technology, and location-based services may be leveraged to transcend the old paradigm. Doing so will reduce costs, increase coverage and yield a wealth of new data that will empower the traveling public with real-time access to current traffic conditions. Furthermore, transportation operators will gain access to an unprecedented wealth of information to help them better manage road networks.
