Traffic reports question

[soulbarn]

Hi -

I'm doing a research project on radio traffic reports. I was wondering if anyone in the forum has a good knowledge of how Sirius First Traffic works. I know they use local reporters, but I'm looking for details - where's the studio in LA; what kind of sources do they use for info; whether or not the programming is sub-contracted to another radio traffic provider (ie, ClearChannel has a traffic division that acts as a vendor to other stations.)

If there's a link to any articles that might provide details about the service, I'd love to get it. I've done Google searches, of course, so I've got some basics, but haven't found anything on the operational details.

Finally - and I've seen some posts on this already - does anyone have any thoughts on the quality of the traffic reporting/info? I know that there was some lamentation when XM's reports got cancelled in favor of the Sirius info.


many thanks in advance. Feel free to message me if you'd prefer not to post in the forum.

Dan

 

[Aaron]

Good idea for a thread... I hope someone comes along with some good info to help you!

I could imagine myself using the traffic channels if I lived in a big city, but I don't, so I've never listened to them...

 

[IdRatherBeSkiing]

Live in Toronto so no traffic report for me.

 

[jef]

These guys are probably the biggest source not counting the bigger stations that might still have an in-house 'copter/reporting team. Westwood One: Traffic/Content Services: Broadcast Traffic Services


Their other site has a contact link at the bottom that might be worth a check. *Westwood One - Metro

 

[hyson]

They don't report on my area and due to me own experience, I've learned local stations' reports are old and stale.

 

[down4six]

Good idea for a thread... I hope someone comes along with some good info to help you!

I could imagine myself using the traffic channels if I lived in a big city, but I don't, so I've never listened to them...

yeah, on my 15-minute commute from Mosca, Co. to Alamosa Co. I see maybe 15 cars, unless I take the dirt road.

 

[v1ru5]

Since I was a little baby Satrader I never understood the need for the bandwidth used for traffic. I have found that WHERE EVER you live the morning/afternoon commute is pretty much the same everyday.

 

[Jon]

I'll sum it up in five words. "There's an app for that"

 

[blyons200]

I'll sum it up in five words. "There's an app for that"

I use the map feature on my iphone, it shows live traffic around you.

 

[Jon]

For my particular area there is an app called 'Traffic Master' that links directly to the Department of Transportation webcams, so you can see live shots of what the traffic is like on your particular route before you leave.

Also, the GPS has a traffic option that looks for jams and points you in another direction if it's too bad.

 

[HecticArt]

If they offered it in my area I might tune in from time to time, but FM is about it right now.

I never remember to check out the traffic maps on my phone.

 

[limegrass69]

Here in NY, we have 3 all-news stations. They have traffic on the 1s, 5s, and 8s. So between that, GPS and Sirius Traffic...we have our bases covered.