Big Data Has ‘Big Impact’ in Beating Traffic

Traffic congestion – cars, not bytes – is a growing problem that costs the U.S. $121.2 billion per year, according to a report by Texas A&M University. At the micro level, commuting time and jammed highways can have an impact on whether a particular house gets sold or if a shipping company can make money on a given trip.

Roadnet Technologies Inc., the former logistics arm of United Parcel Service Inc. , has entirely transformed its operations since it began business with the most basic of analog tools–maps and push pins. CEO Leonard R. Kennedy says that during the ’80s, he and his staff would use those tools to try and figure out how long it would take drivers to go from one point to another as the crow flies–that is, drawing straight lines on a map without regard for actual roads.

Steve Rosenbush
Deputy Editor

Full Story: http://blogs.wsj.com/cio/2013/03/27/big-data-has-big-impact-in-beating-traffic/