A real-time traffic and weather reporting system for motorists

It is estimated that the economic cost of traffic congestion costs our nation $63 billion in 2002. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has employed several strategies in an effort to mitigate traffic congestion in urban areas. According to the FHWA, the key to any traffic mitigation strategy is providing traveler's specific location, and current traffic information in real time. We have developed a novel traffic and weather communication system that can be used by travelers to send and receive location specific traffic and weather information in real time. Our system uses wired and wireless ad hoc networks and personal data assistants (PDA).