New online traffic/traveling info-map from the city

SDOT just announced a new web feature with color-coded traffic info, live-camera links, and transit info all in one place: seattle.gov/travelers. Read on for the full announcement:

Greatly enhancing traffic information available to the public,
the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) today launched the
Traveler’s Information Web site. This new site provides, for the first
time ever, real time information on traffic conditions for major
arterial streets in Seattle as well as nearby highways.

Located at www.seattle.gov/travelers, the one-stop trip planner
features color-coded roadways indicating traffic volumes as well as
easily accessed images from city and state roadside cameras. It also
displays information about traffic impacts from ongoing incidents or
planned events, ensuring the public has all the necessary information to
select the optimal route.

“Part of our ongoing investment in intelligent transportation
systems, the Traveler’s Information Web site shows residents the
fastest ways to get around,” said Mayor Greg Nickels. “With a few
clicks on our Web site, motorists and commercial drivers can now select
the best routes throughout the city.”

The Traveler’s Information Web site additionally features:
-An interactive Virtual Earth map that allows users to zoom in for
additional details;
-Roadside camera images that can be viewed merely by hovering over a
camera icon;
-Constantly updated incident and planned event information, mapped for
easy reference and with quick access to additional details; and
-Links to mass transit resources such as Metro Transit, Sound Transit
and the Seattle Streetcar.

The traffic volume information is gathered from measuring devices
imbedded in the pavement of major arterial streets. The data is
automatically translated into green, yellow, red and black lines
displayed on the map to indicate the level of congestion. Some traffic
volume information is provided by Traffic.com sensors through a
cooperative agreement with the city.

Trevor F. Smith March 26, 2009 (1:59 pm)

I’m glad that they’re moving forward, but some of the features use javascript which only works in IE, leaving Firefox and Safari users out in the cold.

Mr. JT March 26, 2009 (3:20 pm)

Maybe Grace can use this to see the whole city at a stand still next time it snows !

Thomas March 26, 2009 (4:13 pm)

@Trevor:

Which features do you see working in IE that are not there in FF/Safari? I see no differences in the site between IE, FF, Safari or Chrome.

I can even see the traffic info from the iPhone, though the hover over construction notices and traffic cameras don’t work.

That’s a much nicer site than the last one! A good job by the transportation department in getting info out there in an easily accessible manner.

Nick March 26, 2009 (10:25 pm)

I’m disappointed to see no traffic info for anything in SE Seattle. Rainier Ave S, for example. It’s at least as major an arterial as 15th Ave NW or Lake City Way NE. MLK Jr Way S too.

N 45th St from Wallingford through to Laurelhurst would be another great one to cover, as it’s frequently heavily congested. Hopefully all of these are planned for traffic monitoring in the future.

I agree with Thomas — I didn’t notice any problems while using Firefox 3.0.7.