Abstract: A rating is calculated that represents the traffic conditions of a specified driving route. A driving route is specified that includes a plurality of different roads. The traffic conditions for each of the different roads of the driving route are obtained. A rating is then calculated for the driving route that is based on the traffic conditions for each of the different roads of the driving route.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of creating a virtual traffic network includes inputting map data representing a road system, inputting flow data related to traffic flow on the road system and integrating the map data and the flow data to produce a virtual traffic network representing traffic conditions on the road system.

Abstract: A scanner system provides real-time remote acquisition of a scanner's audio signals and visual display, and real-time remote control of scanner operations, including settings and functions. The scanner system may be used to gather information in a regional market by listening to geographically distant broadcasts available on radio spectrum frequencies. By synchronizing multi-spectrum monitoring, audio delivery, visual cueing, and control of spectrum reception, geographically independent persons can process scanner information as if they were physically present in the market. Thus, operators can gather information from public agencies and radio broadcasts from a remote market as if they were present in the market. The scanner audio signals may be used to produce traffic reports.

Abstract: An article of manufacture for displaying traffic flow data representing traffic conditions on a road system includes creating a graphical map of the road system which includes one or more segments. The status of each segment on the graphical map is determined such that the status of each segment corresponds to the traffic flow data associated with that segment. An animated traffic flow map of the road system is created by combining the graphical map and the status of each segment.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of creating a virtual traffic network includes inputting map data representing a road system, inputting flow data related to traffic flow on the road system and integrating the map data and the flow data to produce a virtual traffic network representing traffic conditions on the road system.

Abstract: Traffic flow data is obtained for a road system that encompasses a predefined geographical region. A user then selects an object of interest within the geographical region. The object of interest has a corresponding geographical location. A graphical map of the road system is then created and the traffic flow data representing traffic conditions on the road system is displayed on the graphical map, wherein the graphical map includes the geographical location of the user-selected object of interest.

Abstract: Actual traffic conditions of a roadway segment are predicted by providing a plurality of historical roadway condition patterns of the roadway segment in a database, obtaining an electronic representation of a current roadway condition pattern of the roadway segment, identifying one or more of the historical roadway condition patterns that closely matches the current roadway condition pattern, and predicting the future actual traffic conditions of the roadway segment by using the conditions associated with the one or more identified historical patterns.

Abstract: An article of manufacture for displaying traffic flow data representing traffic conditions on a road system includes creating a graphical map of the road system which includes one or more segments. The status of each segment on the graphical map is determined such that the status of each segment corresponds to the traffic flow data associated with that segment. An animated traffic flow map of the road system is created by combining the graphical map and the status of each segment.

Abstract: Actual conditions of a roadway segment are estimated by providing roadway condition data to a processor for the roadway segment from a plurality of different types of sources of the roadway condition data, assigning a quality to each of the plurality of different types of sources of the roadway condition data, and estimating in the processor the actual conditions of the roadway segment by using the roadway condition data and the quality of each of the plurality of different types of sources of the roadway data. The quality determines weightings given to each of the plurality of different types of sources.

Abstract: Actual traffic conditions of a roadway segment are predicted by providing a plurality of historical roadway condition patterns of the roadway segment in a database, obtaining an electronic representation of a current roadway condition pattern of the roadway segment, identifying one or more of the historical roadway condition patterns that closely matches the current roadway condition pattern, and predicting the future actual traffic conditions of the roadway segment by using the conditions associated with the one or more identified historical patterns.

Abstract: A scanner system provides real-time remote acquisition of a scanner's audio signals and visual display, and real-time remote control of scanner operations, including settings and functions. The scanner system may be used to gather information in a regional market by listening to geographically distant broadcasts available on radio spectrum frequencies. By synchronizing multi-spectrum monitoring, audio delivery, visual cueing, and control of spectrum reception, geographically independent persons can process scanner information as if they were physically present in the market. Thus, operators can gather information from public agencies and radio broadcasts from a remote market as if they were present in the market. The scanner audio signals may be used to produce traffic reports.

Abstract: A method of displaying traffic information on a web page is provided. The traffic information includes traffic conditions of one or more specified roads. A web browser requests a web page that includes programming code related to some traffic information. The web browser interprets the programming code and requests at least some of the traffic information from a remote site specified by the programming code. The request includes a uniform resource identifier (URI) of the remote site, and a unique identifier of the traffic information. The web browser then assembles the web page using at least some of the requested traffic information obtained from the remote site. The assembled web page displays at least some of the traffic information, including traffic conditions of the one or more specified roads.

Abstract: A scanner system provides real-time remote acquisition of a scanner's audio signals and visual display, and real-time remote control of scanner operations, including settings and functions. The scanner system may be used to gather information in a regional market by listening to geographically distant broadcasts available on radio spectrum frequencies. By synchronizing multi-spectrum monitoring, audio delivery, visual cueing, and control of spectrum reception, geographically independent persons can process scanner information as if they were physically present in the market. Thus, operators can gather information from public agencies and radio broadcasts from a remote market as if they were present in the market. The scanner audio signals may be used to produce traffic reports.

Abstract: A rating is calculated that represents the traffic conditions of a specified driving route. A driving route is specified that includes a plurality of different roads. The traffic conditions for each of the different roads of the driving route are obtained. A rating is then calculated for the driving route that is based on the traffic conditions for each of the different roads of the driving route.

Abstract: A rating is calculated that represents the traffic conditions of a specified driving route that includes at least one road. The driving route is specified by selecting an initial road, selecting a road entry point from which to get on the initial road, selecting a road exit point on which to get off the initial road, and specifying whether the road exit point is the end of the driving route. If the road exit point is not the end of the driving route, another road exit point is selected The above-mentioned steps are then repeated until the road exit point is the end of the driving route. Traffic conditions are then obtained for that driving route and a rating is calculated based on the traffic conditions.

Abstract: A Jam Factor rating is provided that represents the status along a specified driving route. The driving route is specified such that the route includes at least one road. A free flow travel time is calculated for the specified route. Then, the total delay is calculated for the specified route. The free flow travel time and the total delay are summed to obtain the total estimated travel time along the specified route. A delay multiple is then calculated by dividing the total travel time by the free flow travel time. The Jam Factor rating is then calculated based on the delay multiple.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of displaying traffic flow data representing traffic conditions on a road system includes creating a graphical map of the road system which includes one or more segments. The status of each segment on the graphical map is determined such that the status of each segment corresponds to the traffic flow data associated with that segment. An animated traffic flow map of the road system is created by combining the graphical map and the status of each segment.