MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Even with accidents, Kirkland company says traffic is predictable

May 30, 2013, 12:51 PM | Updated: 2:22 pm

With accidents and imperfect drivers, traffic seems completely unpredictable, but the president of the world’s leading provider of traffic information services, which happens to be located in Kirkland, says the flow of traffic can actually be pretty well forecast.

Kirkland-based Inrix provides traffic data for websites, apps, vehicle navigation and TV and radio stations around the U.S. and the world.

Inrix President and CEO Bryan Mistele tells 770 KTTH’s David Boze they have over 100 million vehicles and devices reporting back real-time traffic information that is collected and analyzed. Through their study, he says they’ve found it is definitely possible to give a good prediction of future traffic congestion.

“What we do is we look at dozens of variables, things like what is happening on the road, construction, accidents, planned concerts and sporting events, and all of the different things that influence traffic, and then analyze that together with a whole bunch of data to accurately predict what’s happening to traffic,” says Mistele.

Even with accidents that pop up out of the blue, Mistele says they can still anticipate delays. “It’s fairly predictable depending upon where the accidents happen, how severe they are, and how quickly it takes the DOT to clear them.”

Mistele says he received a warning to allow extra time for his commute after the I-5 FedEx crash that blocked the freeway in Seattle on Wednesday.

“I got an alert to my phone 15 minutes before I was supposed to leave saying you need to leave early because it’s going to take you 15 minutes longer to get to work today.”

Mistele says Inrix is updating information constantly. They then use that pool of data to help them better estimate future events. “This is real-time data, vehicles stuck in traffic, constantly reporting to us, and then we use that to update not only the real-time data, but the predictions as well.”

If you’re wondering what a specific route should look like June 1 at 4 p.m. Mistele says they can and do make that prediction through their various services, including a free app.

The Inrix Traffic app is what notified Mistele he should expect a 15 minute delay on Wednesday. Boze downloaded the app during the show and plans to test out Mistele’s assertion that traffic is really predictable.

“I’m going to put this new app to the test,” says Boze.

MyNorthwest News

KIRO Newsradio gracie awards...

MyNorthwest Staff

KIRO Newsradio anchors receive Gracie Awards for outstanding work

Heather Bosch and Lisa Brooks, anchors at KIRO Newsradio, have been honored by the Alliance for Women in Media with prestigious Gracie Awards.

20 minutes ago

Kia Boys...

Kate Stone, KIRO Newsradio and Bill Kaczaraba, MyNorthwest

‘Kia Boys’ allegedly execute a crime spree in south King County

Renton police chased down a 14-and 16-year-old but are still looking for two other teen suspects in what they said was a "crime spree" in south King County.

1 hour ago

Spanaway woman shot dead...

Kate Stone

Search for shooter continues after woman shot dead while driving in Spanaway

A 47-year-old woman was shot dead in Spanaway, causing her to hit another driver head-on early Wednesday morning.

2 hours ago

nintendo redmond...

Frank Sumrall

Nintendo to lay off 86 Redmond employees this spring

Nintendo of America is laying off 86 contract workers in Redmond, beginning May 25, due to company reorganization.

3 hours ago

Everett boy missing...

Sam Campbell

4-year-old Everett boy missing, police worried he’s in danger

Police and Search and Rescue crews are looking for a missing four-year-old boy they suspect could be in danger.

5 hours ago

Image: The awnings of a store advertise the sale of lottery tickets, including Mega Millions and Po...

Steve Coogan

Lottery jackpots update: Powerball prize jumps again after $1.1B Mega Millions win

A lottery jackpots update: The Powerball prize reached an estimated $935 million ahead of Saturday night's drawing.

14 hours ago

Even with accidents, Kirkland company says traffic is predictable