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If you've had your cell phone on while driving around Baltimore over
the past six months, you've probably been part of an experiment. The
state is testing a Multi-Modal Travelers Information System that takes information
from cell phones - whether they're in use or not - and translates it to speed
and volume/congestion information. The system was developed by Delcan, a Canadian
company that is picking up the lion's share of the cost of the two-year test
program. In fact, Maryland is paying nothing at all for what it will eventually
get out of this. Delcan is paying $3.7 million of the $5.7 million cost and
the rest is coming via grants from the feds and a regional transportation consortium.
Ultimately, the state highway folks will use this information to tell where
there are problems, and it will likely be sold directly to consumers. Delcan
says it will continue the project after the testing period ends by making it
"self-sufficient," which I think is a euphemism for a fee to either
the state or the consumer.
Cingular Wireless is the only company so far that has opened its network to
allow the information to be mined for the project. In order for this project/concept
to be successful in the long run, at least one more wireless carrier will have
to be involved. All sides insist that drivers' privacy is not compromised and
that the data coming into the system does not include any personal information
about who has their cell phone on and where. I still wonder if having all this
receiving equipment could lead somebody in a federal agency to make some other
use for the data.
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