HIGHWAYS AGENCY News
Release (HA44-08) issued by COI News Distribution Service. 21
October 2008
The Highways
Agency has made its traffic data available to Google(tm) for use
within their brand new Google Maps(tm) traffic feature.
The traffic feature is simple. It overlays a colour-coded layer
of the average speeds on England's motorways and major
'A' road network onto the existing Google Map(tm)
facility with different colours indicating the current speed of traffic.
The Highways Agency provides its traffic information 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 based on
past conditions, helping motorists to plan their journeys ahead to
avoid congestion.
Denise Plumpton, Director of Information at the Highways Agency said:
"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 used to populate the Highways
Agency's own Traffic England website (http://www.highways.gov.uk/traffic).
Using this site, drivers can see current and predicted driving
conditions, view what is currently being displayed on electronic
motorway signs and even tell the average speed between any two
junctions on the motorway network.
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.
ends
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. The Highways Agency is an executive agency of the Department
for Transport. We manage, maintain and improve England's
motorways and major A roads on behalf of the Secretary of State.
2. Real -time traffic information for England's motorways
and major A roads is now available:
* From our new Traffic Radio service, available on DAB digital
radio and the internet at http://www.trafficradio.org.uk
To tune into the DAB service, simply press the "scan"
button on your radio. The radio will tune into all available
channels and you can select the new service by scrolling through
the channels until you reach "Traffic Radio".
* On the internet at http://www.highways.gov.uk/trafficinfo
* By phone from the Highways Agency 24-hour voice activated phone
service on 08700 660 115. (Calls from BT landlines to 0870
numbers will cost no more than 8p per minute; mobile calls usually
cost more).
Before using a mobile, find a safe place to park. Never stop on
the hard shoulder of a motorway except in an emergency. Make sure
it's safe and legal before you call.
3. For more general information about the Highways Agency and its
work, visit the Highways Agency website http://www.highways.gov.uk,
or telephone the Highways Agency Information Line on 08457 50 40
30 at any time. (Calls to 0845 numbers cost no more than 3p/min
from BT residential landlines. Call charges from other landlines
and mobile networks may vary)
Issued by the Highways Agency National Press Office. For more
information please contact Ant Aston on 07879 086 026 or the Kelly
Logan in the National Press Office on 0207 081 7443.