Mike's NBC-TV stories

Best Mobile Traffic Apps for 2015

One sure-fire way to put a damper on any day is being slowed down – or stopped altogether – by a traffic jam that could have been avoided. I have three great apps that can help you stay abreast of current traffic conditions and avoid being stuck in traffic.

 

Try the traffic app Waze, which takes traffic navigation apps to a whole new level by adding a social feature that allows drivers to input data. Drivers can report road closures, for example, and warn others about inactive roads. It even includes data on speed traps and will help users find the cheapest gas prices. Don’t worry about inaccurate info, either, as the app is programmed to “trust” sources of info based on good information previously provided by users. It recently added a feature to estimate driving times. Free for iOS, Android, and Windows.

The INRIX Traffic app is a great choice, too. The company behind INRIX says billions of data points are used to predict traffic times. INRIX says it bases its info on the world’s largest network of available traffic data and is the most accurate “on the planet.” In fact, one of the things that sets INRIX apart is the fact it has data from 30 countries. You can also set INRIX up so that it will tell you when you should leave for appointments based on traffic conditions. Free for iOS, Android, and Windows.

Sigalert is another top choice. Free and available for iOS and Android, Sigalert features a real-time traffic map, 24/7 speed, accident and construction coverage and allows you personalize routes showing only the conditions on your drive. Also allows GPS integration for hands-free operation. The app covers 75 metro areas across the country.

Mike is a veteran journalist whose video "PC Mike" reports have been distributed weekly to all 215 NBC-TV stations since 1994, making him one of the most experienced tech reporters in the country. His tech stories and videos have appeared on MSNBC, CNBC, the Today Show, The New York Times, USA Today and in numerous national newspapers and magazines. In addition to the PC Mike tech blog, he also publishes the Roadtreking.com RV Travel Blog in which he travels North America in an RV reporting about interesting people and places.