Traffic during Ramadan is a hot mess. The roads are either empty or they look like a scene from an apocalyptic film where everyone is trying to escape the city. But, there is one thing I’ve doing this Ramadan and that is checking the real time traffic information on Google Maps before heading anywhere. Google Maps on iOS and Android both have an option that allows you to overlay traffic information on top of the map. So, before I head to a destination I just take a quick glance over the route to make sure it isn’t covered with lots of red lines, if they are I’ll just try to find another route.
If you’re looking for away to avoid traffic, this could help you out a bit.
12 replies on “Ramadan Traffic with Google Maps”
even with the left side emergency lane open during rush hour on the 40, the traffic still jams up for miles. kuwait really need to do something about it, or ells i would have to buy a motorbike and ditch all the traffic, haha.
I wonder how Google updates the real time traffic information. Any idea Mark?
I would think via satellite, but it doesn’t seem practical on an going basis.
what i understood is that every android phone sends information to google whom in return use that information for their services like google maps. so if lots of android users stuck in traffic google will know there is traffic.
not alot of people in kuwait using google maps.. so google wont show us ALL the traffic in kuwait real time i guess?
I don’t think you need to be using google maps to send the data to google. I think just by having it on your phone you’re automatically sending data unless you opt out. The data that is sent is location and speed.
Mark is right.
Much detailed version here:
https://www.theconnectivist.com/2013/07/how-google-tracks-traffic/
Oh wow! this is impressive! š i have always wanted to know how google knows where traffic is. now i know, thanks š
Thanks a lot for the clarification!
I’ve also notice those huge gravel trucks competing with traffic at night as well. They should only be allowed to travel during the day when the traffic is lighter. It’s hard enough dealing with them during the day, at night it’s worse as most of the trucks don’t have proper lights on them.
Mark, its better if you ditch your iOS device now and convert to android, before the google/skynet becomes self aware. After that, its game over for everyone, but its generally accepted that the terminators will go after iphone users first.
LOL
Waze uses the info from google maps and its own user reports to work out best/fastest routes I think. Its a brilliant little social nav app for driving round.