A new online traffic map for the Lower Mainland has been unveiled that anonymously tracks cellphone signals to calculate and display congestion levels in real time.
According to the transportation ministry, personal data from cellphones is removed before being incorporated in the map’s data system, but privacy advocates have expressed concern.
The map is on the translink.ca and drivebc.ca websites.
It was developed by TransLink and the $1.2 million cost was shared by the federal and provincial governments.
Major arteries are colour coded, with red indicating very slow traffic and green showing it’s moving smoothly.
It’s also expected to help various agencies study traffic flows in Metro Vancouver.
The map covers Highway 1 from Horseshoe Bay to Chilliwack, Highway 99 from the Peace Arch to Whistler, as well as all other numbered highways and major commuter routes in the region.
