Digital map maker Tele Atlas has released an update to Speed Profiles, its historical traffic data database that improves GPS routing and travel time estimates. Since it launched in November 2008, Speed Profiles has grown to include 600 billion speed measurements shared by GPS users over the past two years.
24 European countries are covered, with historical traffic data for all 15.5 million kilometers of roadways. 19.5 million kilometers in Canada and the United States are also covered, roughly 90 percent of the navigable road network. Furthermore, 77 percent of highly traveled roadways have average speeds for every 5 minutes, 7 days per week.
Because Speed Profiles uses consumer-generated data, it takes into account traffic lights, detours and other traffic hassles. By taking into account these inevitables over time it paints a truly accurate picture of average driving speeds.