Summary of the content on the page No. 1
TrafficWatch
Users Manual
Summary of the content on the page No. 2
Table of Contents Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Subscription. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 TrafficWatch Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Start TrafficWatch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Interpreting the Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 San Jose. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Summary of the content on the page No. 3
Introduction TrafficWatch is a programs that can be used to help drivers with traffic related information. This program is designed to be used with QuickLaunch which ties this and other programs to the WayPoint navigation software. TrafficWatch is built in to all WayPoint units. TrafficWatch is supported by a live database that collects information and sends the data to the Pocket PC via the internet. It can make use of a live mobile connection or it can collect data via ActiveSync and the
Summary of the content on the page No. 4
TrafficWatch Overview TrafficWatch uses an Internet connection to retrieve live traffic information in the form of a road map display, text displays and table displays as well as audio. Data shows the speed of traffic flow and the location of traffic incidents for major freeways and some surface streets. TrafficWatch can be used to identify potential traffic bottlenecks in selected areas in real time or near real time. Start TrafficWatch To start TrafficWatch follow these steps: 1. Make su
Summary of the content on the page No. 5
• Tap Start > QuickLaunch. The screen shown in Figure 1 will appear. Tap the TrafficWatch icon. Figure 1 QuickLaunch • You can also use the WayPoint hotkey button from the WayPoint navigation software as shown in Figure 2. 5
Summary of the content on the page No. 6
Press and hold the WayPoint button for about a second. Figure 2 Starting QuickLaunch from WayPoint This will also bring up the QuickLaunch program and the TrafficWatch icon can be selected. When the TrafficWatch icon is tapped the following sequence will be seen: 1. An updater program will run that checks to see if you have the latest version of TrafficWatch. If there is an updated version you will be given an opportunity to download it. 2. Wait a few seconds for the splash screen and th
Summary of the content on the page No. 7
The running copy of TrafficWatch can be displayed using the QuickLaunch thus WayPoint can be used to view TrafficWatch at any time by calling up QuickLaunch. It is also possible to use TrafficWatch without using QuickLaunch. It can be started with Start > Programs > TrafficWatch. When starting TrafficWatch in this way it is possible to switch between WayPoint and TrafficWatch directly using the WayPoint hardware button. If the Internet connection is lost the time is recorded and if the dat
Summary of the content on the page No. 8
• The small circles show Dept of Transportation measuring points. These indicate approximate speed through the area. Green full speed Yellow some slow down Red severe slow down open no data Figure 3 Sacramento • Yellow Triangles show incidents (often accidents or other traffic stoppage) or congestion. These are usually reported by the Highway Patrol (State Police). There are some examples of these in figure 4 which shows San Jose. • Red Triangles are even more severe traffic stoppage.
Summary of the content on the page No. 9
data (Internet connection) will be displayed and after 45 minutes the display will be considered too old to be usable. San Jose San Jose represents a more complicated view of this data. As can be seen in Figure 4 there is more traffic data than roads on the map. Figure 4 San Jose The map data only shows the major freeways anchored around I-680 and I-280 with I-880 shown through the center although it is not marked. It is connected to highway 17 at the bottom of the map and extends northwa
Summary of the content on the page No. 10
SR-84 is shown running between I-880 and US101 across the bay waters to I-880, but the real road extends down to I-280 and up to I- 680 and beyond. The speed sensors show where the road goes even though the map does not. Locals can probably discern Lawrence Expy, San Tomas Expy, Montague Expy, Tully Road, Capital Expy, Almaden Expy, Foothill Expy, and Central Expy which all show speed data. Using TrafficWatch The ideal way to use TrafficWatch is with a live data connection all of the time.
Summary of the content on the page No. 11
Features The features screen can be reached by tapping the Features command or pressing the cursor up button. It is show in Figure 5. Figure 5 Features The Features screen shows 4 choices which include: • Settings - This entry is described in on page 13. • Back - Tapping this icon will return to the map we just left which is the main TrafficWatch screen. • Traffic Report - Shows all of the traffic incidents in our selected map. (See on page 12.) • Best Highway - Shows average speeds for fre
Summary of the content on the page No. 12
Traffic Report There is usually more information available for the incidents shown on the map screen than just its location as shown on the map screen in the TrafficWatch program. The Traffic Report screen is chosen from the Features page. Select Traffic Report to bring up a text display and audio of recent incidents of interest to the user based on the most current map selected, see Figure 6. Often these incidents are exactly the same as the ones shown on the map screen but there can be
Summary of the content on the page No. 13
TIP: To repeat the audio message tap the Speak button twice. The incident coverage area is wider than the data areas in the map and is based mostly on Highway Patrol reports, therefore incidents can be for areas not covered in the detailed TrafficWatch areas. The Traffic Report shows approximately the same area as the map screen. Incident data is downloaded while you have an Internet connection but may be viewed later based on your GPS position. The data is considered valid for a period of
Summary of the content on the page No. 14
Choose Map TrafficWatch is intended to watch the general area of your location within a metropolitan area. This is done by using your current or last known GPS position. When the program is told to use the GPS position it will do this dynamically. If you move to a different location the map usage will be updated accordingly. Your current location will be shown on the map screen and will move as you travel. However, there are times when you wish to see maps that are not at your current loca
Summary of the content on the page No. 15
By default TrafficWatch checks the last GPS location. Use the Add button to select other locations. Telling it other places to collect data for can be very useful for commuters that drive further than the area covered by one map. If you select several areas in the Pick list it can take some time to gather all of the data. You can select up to 8 cities which need not be in the same state. You can clear this list with the Delete button. You can use this screen to tell it which maps you want
Summary of the content on the page No. 16
• San Diego (Chula Vista, Coronado, San Diego, Poway, Grove, National City) • SF Central (Foster City, San Bruno, San Franciso, Oakland) • SF East (Oakland, Berkeley, Richmond, Vallejo, Walnut Creek) • San Jose (Los Gatos, Palo Alto, Foster City, Fremont San Jose) • Sacramento. (Elk Grove, Sacramento, Rancho Cordova) For areas outside of California there is currently data available for: • GA - Atlanta • NV - Las Vegas, Reno, Lake Tahoe • WA - Seattle New locations will be added when they bec
Summary of the content on the page No. 17
Troubleshooting Problems Errors you might see include: • No owner information - You must fill in the owner information with both your name and email address. • No License – your subscription service has expired. You need to renew your subscription. • Trial period Expired - Your trial period is over. You will need to subscribe to continue service. • No internet - the program cannot connect to the internet. This might be normal if you have removed the internet connection. To troubleshoot this
Summary of the content on the page No. 18
1. On the Pocket PC check Settings > Connections > Connections > Advanced > Network Card. 2. In the top menu, check that the setting is 'Work'. 3. On the PC be sure that the unit shows connected and check the settings in ActiveSync. 4. Under Tools > Options > Rules ensure the Pass through setting is also set to 'Work'. The setting in active sync and the PDA must agree. 18
