Traffic.com

Good evening! The budget season has started here at the City. I had training today and now the fun begins. For those that have never completed a budget it is not as easy as one might think. You have to insure all bases are covered. You want to isntitute new programs while not wanting to ask for too much. The fortunate part is that we are in pretty good economic times here so you don't have to worry too much about having part of your existing programs being cut.

"Traffic.com is one of the largest independent providers of traffic information and services in the U.S. They deliver traffic content to clients and consumers on terrestrial and satellite radio, on broadcast and cable TV, through wireless applications and services, and via the Internet. The Traffic.com site and the companion my traffic.com site at my.traffic.com are the primary "direct to the consumer" online services. They get their information from three types of sources: digital traffic sensors, commercial and government partners, and our traffic operations center staff members. The Traffic.com Jam Factor is like a "Richter Scale" for traffic. It's an overall measure of the traffic intensity on a roadway, or on a section of a roadway. Because the Jam Factor calculation uses real-time speed and travel time measurements from our digital sensors and those of our partners, as well as our detailed accident, construction and congestion information, it's a comprehensive measuring tool that is unique to Traffic.com." The map that they provide is great because it instantly shows where problem areas are and the intensity. Unfortunately, it is not available for all cities. Some day maybe... Check it out at www.traffic.com.