Internet Traffic

[Blisteringblue]

Anybody knows who Lexus subscribe to for this?

It is working OK and showed almost an hour and a half delays driving home from Derby last night, so as it's first proper traffic event I let the car choose the route. Ended up taking me from Stoke to Leek, through Buxton, Stockport then onto M60.

I've no issue if this was the best route as I often went direct from Derby to Buxton myself using TomTom traffic when the A50/M6 was bad.

However until I trust this traffic data totally I'm always going to be cautious.

I may even vent mount my TomTom next traffic laden journey as a direct comparison but figured I would investigate the Lexus traffic source first.

[DJP]

I don't know, although I did find something on the net about it a few months ago. Blowed if I can find it again.

It tried to reroute me when we had the floods, and it was a ridiculous detour. Consequently I think your Tom Tom would be a great idea and would be interested to have your feedback.

Hope you're enjoying the car!

Sent from my Iphone using Lexus OC

[Blisteringblue]

Car is great, 1000 miles driven and averaging 54.3 mpg !! That is simply amazing from a 2.5l petrol.

Touch wood all my electronics seem to be fine too. Hope that is not tempting fate though.

[Steve44]

Uses Inrix data

http://telematicsnews.info/2013/05/22/lexus-and-inrix-launch-pioneering-parking-and-traffic-navigation-service-on-the-new-lexus-is_m4222/

[Blisteringblue]

That's great cheers for that. I'm going to do a side by side comparison with TomTom Live Traffic next week just to satisfy my curiosity.

TomTom use info from Vodafone devices as well as other sources to get theirs and it is pretty spot on.

[DJP]

Be good to know if the phone favourites stick or drop off leaving just the Lexus emergency entry.

Sent from my Iphone using Lexus OC

[Steve44]

I'd hope that the Inrix data is spot on too. It is the same service as used by BMW's RTTI service, and Audi, Ford Sync and Jag. Even the Highways Agency in the UK is using it to monitor traffic flows throughout the UK road network. It should also work throughout Europe.

[Blisteringblue]

Just reading up about the sources and it is impressive. They do use major fleets, taxis, as well as anonymous mobile data from phones and devices. They offer free apps for mobile devices too.

Looks like I will indeed trust it. I will still watch it in action against TomTom for a week but I'm quite impressed.

DJP, I still have my favourites, OK only been a week, but how often do you lose yours?

[DJP]

DJP, I still have my favourites, OK only been a week, but how often do you lose yours?

I've given up re inputting them, they would disappear with no consistency but I don't think I ever had them there for more than a fortnight.

Sent from my Iphone using Lexus OC

[Blisteringblue]

Right a couple of days side by side use and to be honest the Inrix data is perfectly fine.

Both the TomTom and the Nav Unit displayed pretty much the same traffic data. TomTom was quicker to display it but the Lexus did eventually report the same. Meant you couldn't avoid it as I was already in it, but it was a fresh holdup and you wouldn't have been able to avoid it with the TomTom either.

The routing engines are vastly different mind you but to its credit I followed the Lexus route tonight with holdups on the M62 and it got me back about 5 mins before the route TomTom wanted me to take.

Happy days, Mr Anal Traffic is a little happier and will start to trust the new Lexus :winky:

[DJP]

That's really encouraging. I don't need it that much but good to hear it's up to standard. I had one re route that was crazy, hopefully a one off. Consequently I've ignored the suggested re routes since. Maybe I should give it a second chance!

Sent from my iPad using Lexus OC

[Blisteringblue]

I had to switch off auto re-route because it changes the route far too quickly mind you. With updates set to every 3 mins it does change quite a lot. So showing traffic for 60 miles you get plenty of chance to change.

[Captain Fizz]

Tried Waze (On Android, maybe on iOS).

I tried it from Birmingham -> Inverness and found it excellent - Mainly for the user reported Police ahead, who I didn't spot, until 5 mins later where they'd pulled someone over :D

The "ave speed in this section of M6 is 45MPH" was spot on, great real-time monitoring of other Waze users GPS positions / speeds.

Accidents etc reported by users... So is great in high population area's - Only about 3 people using it in Inverness, but no traffic in Inverness either :D