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How does Google maps know about traffic?

  • 18-06-2019 7:55am
    #1
    bobbyss
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,263 ✭✭✭


    The road turns red when there's heavy traffic. How does Google maps know this?


Comments

  • #2
    Endaaaagh
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 638 ✭✭✭Endaaaagh


    I'm guessing from other users who may also be stopped in the traffic?


  • #3
    Day Lewin
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,686 ✭✭✭Day Lewin


    Yes, exactly that: from the mobile phones locations.

    These days every car contains at least one phone.


  • #4
    PirateShampoo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,406 ✭✭✭PirateShampoo


    It's always watching and always listening.


  • #5
    McMurphy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,365 ✭✭✭✭McMurphy


    PirateShampoo wrote: »
    It's always watching and always listening.

    Can confirm

    My phone beeped and then said "lookin good Johnny" right after I trimmed the pubes this morning pre shower.


  • #6
    PirateShampoo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,406 ✭✭✭PirateShampoo


    Johnny Dogs wrote: »
    Can confirm

    My phone beeped and then said "lookin good Johnny" right after I trimmed the pubes this morning pre shower.

    You was Face Timing your Mum.


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  • #7
    biko
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 81,220 ✭✭✭✭biko


    Another thread that could have been a google search

    www.google.com/search?q=How+does+Google+maps+know+about+traffic


  • #8
    xabi
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,006 ✭✭✭xabi


    biko wrote: »
    Another thread that could have been a google search

    www.google.com/search?q=How+does+Google+maps+know+about+traffic

    Most threads fall into that category... This is a discussion forum, and I think this topic is a good discussion point.

    Do Apple use info from Google for their traffic, or do they use their own devices for that I wonder?


  • #9
    Franz Von Peppercorn II
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,398 ✭✭✭Franz Von Peppercorn II


    biko wrote: »
    Another thread that could have been a google search

    www.google.com/search?q=How+does+Google+maps+know+about+traffic

    This can open it to discussion I suppose. Do they rely on user reports of automatic updates. If the latter is it always on? Don’t remember agreeing to that.


  • #10
    Hector Savage
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,809 ✭✭✭Hector Savage


    Exactly everyones phones, it sorts out drivers phones by pedastrians by motion style/speed.

    Some errors but with large data sets it doesn;t matter ..


  • #11
    Hector Savage
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,809 ✭✭✭Hector Savage


    PirateShampoo wrote: »
    It's always watching and always listening.

    *agents nodding*


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  • #12
    Sleeper12
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,155 ✭✭✭✭Sleeper12


    I don't think it's from Google users. My Tom Tom sees where there is heavy traffic. Tom Tom offered live traffic long before Google started their live traffic.

    I always assumed that they got the information from the likes of DCC who monitor traffic throughout the city. I could be wrong.

    Someone mentioned Apple maps. They are actively doing the rounds in Dublin right now. I have seen the apple maps car southside Dublin most days over the last two weeks.


  • #13
    Neon_Lights
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,426 ✭✭✭Neon_Lights


    Pooled location data


  • #14
    mad muffin
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,034 ✭✭✭mad muffin


    We are part of the hive. The collective. We are one. We are borg. Resistance is futile. You will be assimilated.


  • #15
    EmmetSpiceland
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,016 ✭✭✭✭EmmetSpiceland


    Johnny Dogs wrote: »
    Can confirm

    My phone beeped and then said "lookin good Johnny" right after I trimmed the pubes this morning pre shower.

    I’d say that was funnier in your own head, lad.

    “It is not blood that makes you Irish but a willingness to be part of the Irish nation” - Thomas Davis



  • #16
    Sonics2k
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,253 ✭✭✭Sonics2k


    Google uses your location data/GPS if enabled on your phone and the system adjusts to the approximate delay and assumes traffic build up based on this.

    Considering the massive amounts of apps that require location information/GPS then it's very common for more people to have it enabled now by default as these days it barely impacts battery life.

    Apple would use the same system.


  • #17
    Odyssey 2005
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,065 ✭✭✭✭Odyssey 2005


    Zuckerberg knows f'n everything !


  • #18
    Franz Von Peppercorn II
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,398 ✭✭✭Franz Von Peppercorn II


    Sleeper12 wrote: »
    Someone mentioned Apple maps. They are actively doing the rounds in Dublin right now. I have seen the apple maps car southside Dublin most days over the last two weeks.

    Interesting. They have their own street view coming up.


  • #19
    Neon_Lights
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,426 ✭✭✭Neon_Lights


    Franz Von Peppercorn II wrote: »
    Interesting. They have their own street view.

    The big companies cog each other's map data anyway so they've started putting in fake places in maps to catch each other out


  • #20
    alchemist33
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,969 ✭✭✭✭alchemist33


    Hector Savage wrote: »
    Exactly everyones phones, it sorts out drivers phones by pedastrians by motion style/speed.

    Some errors but with large data sets it doesn;t matter ..

    My google fit app told me I'd had an afternoon cycle once. Turns out I was mowing the lawn


  • #21
    Neon_Lights
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,426 ✭✭✭Neon_Lights


    alchemist33 wrote: »
    My google fit app told me I'd had an afternoon cycle once. Turns out I was mowing the lawn

    Do you've a ride on mower?


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  • #22
    Franz Von Peppercorn II
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,398 ✭✭✭Franz Von Peppercorn II


    Neon_Lights wrote: »
    The big companies cog each other's map data anyway so they've started putting in fake places in maps to catch each other out

    Map companies have been doing that for centuries.

    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trap_street

    Also talking about google and data scrapping.

    https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/genius-google-stole-lyrics-morse-code-848781/


  • #23
    Sleeper12
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,155 ✭✭✭✭Sleeper12


    Franz Von Peppercorn II wrote:
    Interesting. They have their own street view coming up.

    Yes definitely. I think it is a fight back to try get apple users away from Google maps


  • #24
    Franz Von Peppercorn II
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,398 ✭✭✭Franz Von Peppercorn II


    OSI wrote: »
    You did the second you agreed to allow the app to have access to your location data.

    Not all the time. Not in the background. I suppose enough people use google maps foregrounded when travelling to generate enough info. And others don’t read the terms of the location pop up.


  • #25
    Sonics2k
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,253 ✭✭✭Sonics2k


    Franz Von Peppercorn II wrote: »
    Not all the time. Not in the background. I suppose enough people use google maps foregrounds when travelling to generate enough info. And others don’t read the terms of the location pop up.

    With Android, by default, there's literally a box that crops up saying "Allow Location Data" and you can choose to Accept or Decline it. After Accepting it, you can still turn it off from the drop-down menu.

    You literally accepted it.


  • #26
    alchemist33
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,969 ✭✭✭✭alchemist33


    Neon_Lights wrote: »
    Do you've a ride on mower?

    Yep. Its a big lawn


  • #27
    Lackadaisical
    Closed Accounts Posts: 518 ✭✭✭Lackadaisical


    Sleeper12 wrote: »
    I don't think it's from Google users. My Tom Tom sees where there is heavy traffic. Tom Tom offered live traffic long before Google started their live traffic.

    I always assumed that they got the information from the likes of DCC who monitor traffic throughout the city. I could be wrong.

    Someone mentioned Apple maps. They are actively doing the rounds in Dublin right now. I have seen the apple maps car southside Dublin most days over the last two weeks.

    They were around Cork too recently.


  • #28
    _Brian
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,617 ✭✭✭✭_Brian


    I think it’s depending on users who allow location tracking outside using the app.

    That way it builds a picture of the overall road traffic movement. I don’t think relying on people with the app open would be sufficient to build such an accurate picture.


  • #29
    JohnnyFlash
    Registered Users Posts: 7,055 ✭✭✭JohnnyFlash


    _Brian wrote: »
    I think it’s depending on users who allow location tracking outside using the app.

    That way it builds a picture of the overall road traffic movement. I don’t think relying on people with the app open would be sufficient to build such an accurate picture.

    That’s how it works. It’s pretty ridiculous the amount of personal information you give up to Google in return for using Android.


  • #30
    bobbyss
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,263 ✭✭✭bobbyss


    biko wrote:
    Another thread that could have been a google search

    Then what's the point of boards?

    If everyone googled stuff there would be no need for boards.

    Are you saying everybody should Google something before posting?

    Shall we take a stroll down your posts and remind you of how many googles you could have done?


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  • #31
    Obvious Desperate Breakfasts
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,474 ✭✭✭Obvious Desperate Breakfasts


    I want to know how I’ll be discussing something obscure and will then see an ad for it on my phone. :eek:


  • #32
    Hector Savage
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,809 ✭✭✭Hector Savage


    I think it also includes location data of all phones, even non smart phones.
    GPS data is outside your mobile data afaik - could be wrong here...


  • #33
    goose2005
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,798 ✭✭✭goose2005


    Hector Savage wrote: »
    *agents nodding*

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RVRCd6J2NA


  • #34
    ohnonotgmail
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 40,513 ✭✭✭✭ohnonotgmail


    Hector Savage wrote: »
    I think it also includes location data of all phones, even non smart phones.
    GPS data is outside your mobile data afaik - could be wrong here...

    how could non-smartphones be sending data to google?


  • #35
    Franz Von Peppercorn II
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,398 ✭✭✭Franz Von Peppercorn II


    Hector Savage wrote: »
    I think it also includes location data of all phones, even non smart phones.
    GPS data is outside your mobile data afaik - could be wrong here...

    The carriers may be collecting that data but probably not selling it to google.


  • #36
    kneemos
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,450 ✭✭✭✭kneemos


    JohnnyFlash wrote: »
    That’s how it works. It’s pretty ridiculous the amount of personal information you give up to Google in return for using Android.


    Meh. It's useful.


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  • #37
    Cordell
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,136 ✭✭✭Cordell


    JohnnyFlash wrote: »
    That’s how it works. It’s pretty ridiculous the amount of personal information you give up to Google in return for using Android.

    You pay nothing for a huge software package and a huge infrastructure - hence you are the merchandise for them.


  • #38
    lertsnim
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,804 ✭✭✭lertsnim


    bobbyss wrote: »
    The road turns red when there's heavy traffic. How does Google maps know this?

    The same way they can tell you if a shop is busy or not. All the phones in a specific area at that given time.


  • #39
    kirving
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,059 ✭✭✭kirving


    Franz Von Peppercorn II wrote: »
    The carriers may be collecting that data but probably not selling it to google.

    In the US, carriers sell data on user locations to whoever will buy it. That's even with non smart phones.

    Originally the idea in tracking your location was that you could call "1800-Towing" or whatever from wherever you were in the US, and you would be out through to a local company.

    Now, it has evolved to such an extent, and become such big business, that even if you travel, robo-calling advertising bots will appear as a phone number local to where you are at any given time.

    This podcast gives a good overview of how it works.

    https://gimletmedia.com/shows/reply-all/awhk76



    In terms of traffic, there are a number of companies who amalgamate data from a wide range of sources, and then sell this onto GPS providers. They can apply machine learning to estimate journey times, and predict when traffic is due to be bad, based off previous data.

    Local traffic measurement by the likes of Dublin City Council is supplemented by GPS readings from Google, Apple, and others to help build up a map.


  • #40
    Franz Von Peppercorn II
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,398 ✭✭✭Franz Von Peppercorn II


    The always on gps is surely a major battery eater. More important than privacy to me. So I turn app requests for bg tracking off.


  • #41
    Hector Savage
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,809 ✭✭✭Hector Savage


    ohnonotgmail wrote: »
    how could non-smartphones be sending data to google?

    All phones need to constantly log in to the network yeah ?
    Not sure location data is included, but for example police can determine location even of non smart phones ? or is that using triangulation and getting rough locations ?

    Again, I'm not 100% ...

    The reason I am thinking this is when I was last in the united states I was terrified of roaming charges so knocked off my mobile data.

    Downloading maps in the hotel wifi, I could still get accurate GPS location when I was out on the streets - so the GPS is outside of the internet mobile data ?


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  • #42
    Cordell
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,136 ✭✭✭Cordell


    Non-smartphones can't send data to Google, but the mobile network can.
    GPS is independent of mobile data, it's a direct one-way connection to the satellites above.


  • #43
    Hector Savage
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,809 ✭✭✭Hector Savage


    Cordell wrote: »
    Non-smartphones can't send data to Google, but the mobile network can.
    GPS is independent of mobile data, it's a direct one-way connection to the satellites above.

    OK so makes sense why I can see my position on a map with 3g/4g off on a mobile - yet this data won't be sent to Google - correct ?


  • #44
    Cordell
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,136 ✭✭✭Cordell


    Probably if that map is some offline navigation map like Here or TomTom then no, Google doesn't know, but they may still get the location history when you turn the data connection back on if you're on an Android device.


  • #45
    pure.conya
    Registered Users Posts: 904 ✭✭✭pure.conya


    bobbyss wrote: »
    The road turns red when there's heavy traffic. How does Google maps know this?

    because most people don't realise you can turn off the "location", "body sensor" and "microphone" permissions of the google play services app, despite the fact your android phone will tell you turning those 2 off will negatively effect your phone, it doesn't do anything at all except give you back your privacy


  • #46
    pure.conya
    Registered Users Posts: 904 ✭✭✭pure.conya


    Obvious Desperate Breakfasts wrote: »
    I want to know how I’ll be discussing something obscure and will then see an ad for it on my phone. :eek:

    turn off the microphone permission of the google play services app


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