杏吧原创

Mobile phone networks could soon monitor traffic jams simply by keeping track of motorists鈥� mobile phones. Even when a cellphone is on standby, it continually sends signals to the nearest base station. As the user moves around, the network鈥檚 computer logs its location as it connects to different base stations. The new system, developed by Applied Generics based in Penicuik near Edinburgh, builds up a picture of users鈥� routes and speed by collating hundreds of thousands of these movements. A program uses this information to detect whether particular roads are heavily congested, and can also detect peaks in the number of calls being made. Trials in Edinburgh and elsewhere have shown that the system can locate traffic events to within 250 metres. 鈥淚t鈥檚 accurate enough to help emergency services locate incidents,鈥� says Joe Dixon of Applied Generics. A European mobile phone company is expected to start using the software within the next few months. It hopes to recoup the cost by reselling the traffic news to subscribers.