TNO: Google data may be able to replace sensors for measuring traffic

The data from users of Google applications can in some circumstances replace the much more expensive sensors in the road to measure traffic. This is the claim of research institute TNO, which compared Google’s data with that of road sensors.

Google’s data deviates about 5 to 10 percent from that of sensors in the road, says TNO. According to the research institute, that is an acceptable margin in many circumstances. The research into the Google data is part of an analysis of alternative sources of data for measuring congestion on the road.

The Google data can in any case be used on roads where there are no sensors to measure the traffic. Road authorities could use this data, for example, to advise other motorists to choose a different route earlier on the road. TNO estimates the potential savings through the use of Google data at millions of euros per year.

Google makes the data available free of charge for this kind of business and says it will remain so, according to the newspaper NRC. The newspaper points out that there is a risk if the government makes itself dependent on the data from Google, because the search company can then suddenly ask for money or make other data available in exchange for the traffic data.

Google gets the data from all smartphones with its apps on it. Those who set up the devices or install the apps will be asked to agree to the conditions, which state that Google wants to collect anonymized location data. It uses this, among other things, to calculate delays on routes in Google Maps.