BMW Traffic Information System - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

lauyeung · 06-09-2007, 01:53 AM

Hi,

Does anyone here have the navigation with the traffic information system (real time traffic)? How does it work, and does it perform to your expectations? Like, do you get to work faster while avoiding traffic now?

Thanks.

IMJUSS2NASTY · 06-09-2007, 03:06 AM

Just plug in a destination. It will tell you if there is traffic or not on your route. I have used it a few times and its pretty dead on. If it saids theres traffic in your route, there will be traffic in your route.

niftyhawk · 06-09-2007, 03:35 AM

do u have to pay for this service?

Coldintake · 06-09-2007, 03:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by niftyhawk

do u have to pay for this service?

No, it's free with NAV

ilshim · 06-09-2007, 03:51 AM

its free with the bmw assit program i think, which will last your 4 years. its ok, only works on freeways though, no traffic updating on local roads

PAMidge · 06-09-2007, 07:49 AM

Is it only when you are actively routing (have a destination plugged in), or will it show up if you're just viewing the map?

jfulcher · 06-09-2007, 08:15 AM

Things show up as triangles in the road even if you aren't routing. However it won't say anything to you.

vapordoc · 06-09-2007, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ilshim

its free with the bmw assit program i think, which will last your 4 years. its ok, only works on freeways though, no traffic updating on local roads

My understanding is that it has nothing to do with BMW Assist at this time. The information is sent over FM radio frequencies via Clear Channel Communications similar to the RDS information. There are reportedly 3 phases to the full traffic info roll-out. The first (what we have now) is based on conventional traffic monitoring already in place, hence the limited coverage to freeways. The second phase is supposed to use the GPS systems on vehicles to help monitoring and thus could expand coverage to other roads. The third is supposed to use some type of software/hardware to "predict" traffic given current circumstances...

Quote:

Originally Posted by jfulcher

Things show up as triangles in the road even if you aren't routing. However it won't say anything to you.

So let's say you're driving down the highway and approaching one of the triangle warnings. Will it alert you with information as you get closer to the incident even if you don't have any destination guidance running?

e92sam · 06-09-2007, 09:07 AM

you don't have to have a destination on the nav to get the traffic info. You can just access traffic info and it will bring up a list with the highway/freeway number - distance from your location - and you can drill down from there to see what the problem is.

Railgun · 06-09-2007, 11:28 AM

Yeah. If you have a route mapped and there's an issue (a backup or some other larger delay) it will pop up and tell you that there's a delay in x miles from you and it's x miles long and will delay you for x minutes. It will ask if you want to detour and if you click the button, it will recalc around it.

And yes, you get the info all the time. The nice thing about it is that it sorts by the closest to your position. The bad? There's a LOT of info. I haven't gone through every last entry so I don't know if it's redundant or not, but for the most part, I can't see why you'd need to per se. Same thing with the map. If you're just watching the map and you come up to some congestion, you'll see the icon displayed.

As far as the sources, here in Chicago, we have several. The local ABC station is one, and I think there are some other non identified sources, but typically you'll just leave it to auto or whatever that option is called.

As far as expectations? I know what my routes are anyway and there's no real better way to get to where I go, so I don't use it all that much. If need be, I'll just turn on the local news station and wait less than 10 min to get my traffic.

eleven11 · 06-09-2007, 11:52 AM

Since we're on RTTI, I have a quick question. It's not available in my area yet, apparently - Louisville, KY. Does anyone know where I can find out if it's in the works, or how to add my request for the service? Sorry for semi-thread jack.

bartman32 · 06-09-2007, 05:05 PM

Just to clarify. Yes if you have a destination in there it will tell you that traffic is ahead. Also I have mine set so that it automatically re-routes you around traffic. Yes it's faster and yes it works well. If you do not have a destination inputed in the system it will show you the traffic by showing you triangles on the nav. The more traingles the more traffic. But it will not speak and tell you that there is traffice ahead nor will it re-route you since it does not know where you are going and doesn't predict where you are going either. However you can leave the nav on all the time (screen splits into two) and see the traffic as it comes up which is what I do.

lauyeung · 06-09-2007, 05:09 PM

Still don't know if I should get it just to avoid heavy traffic to work everyday.

One hour to and from work. I don't get lost much, but is getting the navigation worth it just to avoid traffic? $2000..

killer_bee · 06-09-2007, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lauyeung

Still don't know if I should get it just to avoid heavy traffic to work everyday.

One hour to and from work.

There are a bunch of threads about this feature, so do a search on RTTI to get some more info. I live in LA and I like to zoom out and see which highways are backed up or have accidents even if my navi is not routing me through that route. And supposedly we are automatically getting surface street traffic feed very soon and THAT will be VERY useful. Go for it!

speaking of which, does anyone have inside info on WHEN we are getting this local feed??

p.s. if it's just for traffic avoidance, then I don't think it's worth it. but the wide display for entertainment, climate, bluetooth controls, etc and all systems-in-one intergration is worth the price I feel.

Coldintake · 06-09-2007, 10:47 PM

I wouldn't drop 2100 on the traffic feature.. but the Nav/traffic/screen for random stuff/easier ipod use is worth the 2100 imo.

zenmaster · 06-12-2007, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lauyeung

Still don't know if I should get it just to avoid heavy traffic to work everyday.

One hour to and from work. I don't get lost much, but is getting the navigation worth it just to avoid traffic? $2000..

I got it because I don't like sitting in traffic. I save 1 or 2 hours month avoiding traffic. I like driving the car, not sitting still in it.

poldim · 06-18-2007, 12:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lauyeung

Still don't know if I should get it just to avoid heavy traffic to work everyday.

One hour to and from work. I don't get lost much, but is getting the navigation worth it just to avoid traffic? $2000..

iDrive is not just for traffic.

I think the entire system, the upgrade in the look of the interior, and the benefits of the system are well worth 2000 bucks.

SGP335i · 06-18-2007, 02:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poldim

iDrive is not just for traffic.

I think the entire system, the upgrade in the look of the interior, and the benefits of the system are well worth 2000 bucks.

+1 love it

06-09-2007, 01:53 AM	#1
lauyeung Enlisted Member Drives: 3 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: California Posts: 39 iTrader: (1)	BMW Traffic Information System Hi, Does anyone here have the navigation with the traffic information system (real time traffic)? How does it work, and does it perform to your expectations? Like, do you get to work faster while avoiding traffic now? Thanks.
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06-09-2007, 03:35 AM	#3
niftyhawk Private First Class Drives: BMW 530xi Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 141 iTrader: (0)	do u have to pay for this service? __________________

06-09-2007, 03:51 AM	#5
ilshim Private First Class Drives: 335i Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: So. California Posts: 156 iTrader: (0)	its free with the bmw assit program i think, which will last your 4 years. its ok, only works on freeways though, no traffic updating on local roads __________________

06-09-2007, 07:49 AM	#6
PAMidge Saving Lives Since 2000 Drives: 2011 335xi & 2010 328xi Join Date: May 2007 Location: Northeast Posts: 1,642 iTrader: (1) Garage List 2011 e90 335xi [3.50] 2010 328xi [2.75]	Is it only when you are actively routing (have a destination plugged in), or will it show up if you're just viewing the map? __________________ E9X Picture Game: 31 - 1: <3 the gulf, blocked parking lot, next to look alike, 2 carved pumpkins, NBA, (-1 4-5 woman challenge), xmas present, bedroom, dirty car, inside building, st. patrick's day, slow shutter, cupcake/birthday, easter egg hunt, test notes, TV+Dinner, sex shop, in HDTV, Gynecologist, Planking, Bandage/Hospital, Graduate, Rusty Barn, Oil Tanks, Dollar Bill, Hangover, Oktoberfest, Bumper Sticker, Helmet, Christmas Tree, Christmas Decor, Censored.

06-09-2007, 08:15 AM	#7
jfulcher Second Lieutenant Drives: '07 Monaco E92 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 281 iTrader: (0)	Things show up as triangles in the road even if you aren't routing. However it won't say anything to you. __________________ 335i E92 / Monaco / Cream / Burl Walnut / ZPP / ZSP / CA / Nav / Heated Seats / PDC / SAT / Ipod/USB / HD

06-09-2007, 03:06 AM	#2
IMJUSS2NASTY Banned Drives: BMW 335I MONTEGO BLUE Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: NYC Posts: 580 iTrader: (0)	Just plug in a destination. It will tell you if there is traffic or not on your route. I have used it a few times and its pretty dead on. If it saids theres traffic in your route, there will be traffic in your route.

06-09-2007, 09:07 AM	#9
e92sam Second Lieutenant Drives: e92 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: southern california Posts: 116 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 e92 [0.00]	you don't have to have a destination on the nav to get the traffic info. You can just access traffic info and it will bring up a list with the highway/freeway number - distance from your location - and you can drill down from there to see what the problem is. __________________ Ordered: 4/1/07, Picked up 5/20, e92/328i, Deep Green, Saddle, Lt. Poplar, ZSP, ZPP, Step, Nav, Logic 7, CA, PRS, PDC, 6FL Ipod, Sirius

06-09-2007, 11:28 AM	#10
Railgun Major Drives: FD, CBR600RR, Frmr E92 335i :( Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: London Posts: 1,315 iTrader: (2)	Yeah. If you have a route mapped and there's an issue (a backup or some other larger delay) it will pop up and tell you that there's a delay in x miles from you and it's x miles long and will delay you for x minutes. It will ask if you want to detour and if you click the button, it will recalc around it. And yes, you get the info all the time. The nice thing about it is that it sorts by the closest to your position. The bad? There's a LOT of info. I haven't gone through every last entry so I don't know if it's redundant or not, but for the most part, I can't see why you'd need to per se. Same thing with the map. If you're just watching the map and you come up to some congestion, you'll see the icon displayed. As far as the sources, here in Chicago, we have several. The local ABC station is one, and I think there are some other non identified sources, but typically you'll just leave it to auto or whatever that option is called. As far as expectations? I know what my routes are anyway and there's no real better way to get to where I go, so I don't use it all that much. If need be, I'll just turn on the local news station and wait less than 10 min to get my traffic.

06-09-2007, 11:52 AM	#11
eleven11 Lieutenant Drives: -E82 N55 135- Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 501 iTrader: (0)	Since we're on RTTI, I have a quick question. It's not available in my area yet, apparently - Louisville, KY. Does anyone know where I can find out if it's in the works, or how to add my request for the service? Sorry for semi-thread jack. __________________ 2011 135i Coupe Alpine White/ Savanna Beige / Gray Poplar M-Sport, DCT, ZPP, ZCW, ZCV, NAV, Harmon Kardon Performance Exhaust, Performance Grills

06-09-2007, 05:05 PM	#12
bartman32 Colonel Drives: e92 335i Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: The OC Posts: 2,297 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 335i Coupe (e92) [0.00]	Just to clarify. Yes if you have a destination in there it will tell you that traffic is ahead. Also I have mine set so that it automatically re-routes you around traffic. Yes it's faster and yes it works well. If you do not have a destination inputed in the system it will show you the traffic by showing you triangles on the nav. The more traingles the more traffic. But it will not speak and tell you that there is traffice ahead nor will it re-route you since it does not know where you are going and doesn't predict where you are going either. However you can leave the nav on all the time (screen splits into two) and see the traffic as it comes up which is what I do. __________________

06-09-2007, 05:09 PM	#13
lauyeung Enlisted Member Drives: 3 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: California Posts: 39 iTrader: (1)	Still don't know if I should get it just to avoid heavy traffic to work everyday. One hour to and from work. I don't get lost much, but is getting the navigation worth it just to avoid traffic? $2000..

06-09-2007, 10:47 PM	#15
Coldintake First Lieutenant Drives: in socal Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: LA/OC Posts: 349 iTrader: (0)	I wouldn't drop 2100 on the traffic feature.. but the Nav/traffic/screen for random stuff/easier ipod use is worth the 2100 imo.