Idea:

A service that informs registered users, via a text message on their cell phones, in the morning before they leave to work if their regular route is experiencing a trafic jam. Pending on the size of the trafic jam the service could give a recommendation if an alternative route is beneficial. A small fee per text message should be charged.

If the commute to work is generally free of trafic jams the incentive to actively check each morning the internet trafic information might be very low. A few times a year there might be a big surprise in form of a traffic jam that could have been avoided by taking an alternative route or by taking a different mode of transportation. The service recommended above would scan the route to work year-round without any effort by the user and only kick in when there is a problem on the regular way to work. Costs would only occure if a text message is received.

Group of People who would benefit:People that leave by car at regular times to work in the morning.People taking a certain route on a medium or long commute to work but also having a few alternative options (routes or transportation means).A route that is normally not trafic jammed but where trafic jams can occure (due to construction or accidents).Users require a cell phone (that needs to be checked for new text messages before going out of the house).

Implementation:

- Confidential Web-site that allows users to register their route to work and their normal leaving time.

- Trafic jam informations of highways and major in-bound city-streets.

- Database that compares the trafic situation to the routes of the registered users and evaluates their impact.

- Automatic text message generation.

I think this idea could have some benefit in Europe, although I don't know anybody offering this service yet. (I am German)Do you think it would be of some benefit in North America/Elsewhere?

What do you think of this idea or comment?
(You can change your vote at any time)

I agree

No opinion

I disagree