• On TechRepublic: FREE download: Automated invoice form
February 22, 2008 2:31 PM PST

Avoid traffic jams with Commuter Feed

by Josh Lowensohn

Don't have a missing iPhone, but want another Twitter-aided tool that can save you from life's annoyances? Check out Commuter Feed, a network of Twitter users tying to help each other avoid traffic backups and accidents faster than some official city transportations systems are able to update.

The system works by having users follow a Twitter bot that in turn follows their direct messages and sorts through the ones including an IATA airport code and incident information. This code designates which city they're posting for and the rest of your message can simply describe what's wrong. This will instantly go up into a publicly accessible feed that others can subscribe to and check before they head out the door, or from their mobile phones while out and about.

It's worth noting that Google, Yahoo, and Microsoft all have traffic overlays of their own. Many come complete with updated information about exactly what's happened, and in some cases estimations on when each incident will clear up. Your best option is hedge your bets and use both services.

Help your fellow drivers, by letting people know what's going on with the traffic in their area faster than official systems can register it.

(Credit: CNET Networks)
Josh Lowensohn is an associate editor for Webware.com, CNET's blog about cool and otherwise useful Web applications and services. If you've found a site you'd like profiled, shoot him an e-mail. E-mail Josh.
Recent posts from Webware
Manage multiple Twitter accounts with your iPhone
Google image search gets usage rights filtering
Silverlight 3 debuts ahead of Friday's launch
Hotmail gets more Bing with new quick add menu
Google Earth event hints at moon mapping
Selected Search speeds up on-page searching
Search engines for the music lover
Mozilla calls on coders for Web-tool index
Add a Comment (Log in or register)
by twriter February 25, 2008 11:00 AM PST
So someone is offering a service that encourages text messaging while driving (how else would one encounter commute issues?), a most dangerous practice that rightfully should be banned, and might likely cause additional problems that would have to be reported by someone else. How smart is that?
Reply to this comment
by ohiostfbfan February 25, 2008 8:06 PM PST
twriter you truly missed the entire point. If there is a lot of traffic your car will only be creeping along, or completely at a standstill. If you can't text while sitting in a non-moving car, then you should not even bother texting anywhere ever because it may be too difficult a task for you. Also, on banning texting, unless you just bought verizon, t-mobile, at &t, sprint........its not going to happen. I must say, that you post was horrifically useless.
advertisement

About Webware

Say No to boxed software! The future of applications is online delivery and access. Software is passé. Webware is the new way to get things done.

Add this feed to your online news reader

Webware topics

With Chrome, Google reignites the OS wars

roundup Google Chrome OS, due in 2010, underscores the Web giant's cloud-computing ambitions and opens new competition with Microsoft.
• What Chrome OS has on Windows that Linux doesn't

Laying a guilt trip on military robots

q&a Georgia Tech's Ronald Arkin aims to configure armed robots with a built-in "guilt system" to help them avoid civilian casualties.

advertisement

Inside CNET News

Scroll Left Scroll Right