DennisFranz

Mapopolis Clear Route Trial
What is Mapopolis Clear Route?
Mapopolis ClearRoute is a service for Pocket PC handhelds that gets you to your destination as quickly as possible by optimizing your route based on the current and predicted traffic conditions. Mapopolis ClearRoute requires that your Pocket PC be connected to the internet, either via a wireless GSM, GPRS, CDMA, WiFi (802.11x) or Bluetooth connection or by placing it in the device's cradle connected to a computer with internet access.

GPS asssions Link

Actual Text from GPS Passions:
Frequent visitors know that I consider Traffic Data to be the next milestone for GPS assisted navigation. Well it seems Mapopolis is leading the way here with Mapopolis ClearRoute.

What they're doing is using traffic speed collected with sensors (data provided by TrafficCast) and then comparing it to speed by road class. Based on this comparison, the roads are "color coded" to indicate the fluidity of traffic and the routing engine will adapt your route accordingly.

Unfortunately, being in Europe, I can't see it in action, but since all you need is an internet connection, I was able to download data and see the color-coding in action. Very nice and brings back memories of SV ;-)

There is a nice article on MSN that you can read by clicking on "read more" below to find out about pricing and availability. Better yet, you can try ClearRoute for yourself here

Anyway congrats to the Mapopolis team from breaking some new ground that others will no doubt follow for everyone's benefit!

Mapopolis helps drivers avoid "traffic jams"
CLEVELAND, OH Apr. 9 – Mapopolis wants to help PDA users avoid traffic jams.

By the end of April, Mapopolis plans to release its ClearRoute service, which will alert PocketPC-based device users to traffic congestion and display alternate routes in 70 metropolitan areas. A trial version of the service with information about traffic in 10 metro areas is available now from the Mapopolis Web site.

The service works with PocketPC devices offered by wireless carriers, including T-Mobile, Sprint PCS and AT&T Wireless. Mapopolis plans to make the service available for Palm-based devices and Internet-capable cell phones in the future, says Jeremy Straub, VP of business solutions and alliances.

Subscribers get up-to-the-minute information about traffic along their normal commutes, as well as alternative routes around problem areas. For users of devices that can pinpoint a driver's location using GPS signals, ClearRoute will offer turn-by-turn directions around traffic jams. Subscribers will be warned of high traffic congestion via audio alerts and messages on their PDA screens.

Mapopolis determines traffic conditions by comparing posted speed limits with actual speed data that is collected by street sensors operated by local Departments of Transportation and other organizations. The service also predicts traffic on highly traveled commuter routes based on historical data.

The standard service will cost $20 per month; service for devices with GPS capabilities will cost $25 monthly. Mapopolis will sell the service directly, but also plans to offer it through retailers, online outlets and possibly wireless carriers.