Most of us have used an app to help negotiate traffic - in addition to the always superb KNX News traffic reports, that is (wink-wink) - and the long term closure of the 10 Freeway is putting a spotlight on the effectiveness of those apps.
Alexandre Bayen, a professor of electrical engineering and computer science at UC Berkeley, told KNX News' chief correspondent Charles Feldman - Yes, traffic apps are effective... usually.
"They usually have the most up-to-date information because they are themselves used to collect information, and usually they provide a few possible alternative routes from where you are to your destination," he said.
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Bayen said the apps used to be much less reliable, but technology has improved significantly. They've become more effective at learning things, and because more people use them now, they gather much more data through crowdsourcing.
However, Bayen concedes, "The app cannot predict the future if the future has human causes. So, as long as things go according to the plan and people drive their routes, there is no major disruption to the situation, they'll do a great job. But the difficulty starts when unexpected events happen."
And that's why you turn to KNX News!
As for the future of these apps, Bayen said we will likely see enhancements to existing options for users to add criteria to the goal of their commute, like choosing between the fastest route vs. the route that minimizes your CO2 emissions.
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