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A comment on OpenTraffic: a free, global traffic speed data set linked to OpenStreetMap.

Re:OpenTraffic: a free, global traffic speed data set linked... by 3JPLW on Tuesday November 24, 2015 @10:22AM (#10621177)
I wish them the best! These sorts of data are extremely powerful for local governments and advocacy for safer and better-designed streets.

There’s been a big push in Pittsburgh for improved traffic safety around the University of Pittsburgh and CMU due to several recent cyclist and pedestrian deaths. I’m not affiliated with the city or any local advocacy organizations, but as a concerned cyclist with some programming chops, I figured I could put some numbers to the problem myself with video tracking [0]. This impromptu weekend hack has garnered way more attention than I ever expected [1]. Being able to see long-term behaviors would be even more powerful.

0. https://github.com/mbauman/TrafficSpeed

1. http://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2015/11/19/P...

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Re:OpenTraffic: a free, global traffic speed data set linked... by thrownaway2424 on Tuesday November 24, 2015 @01:21PM (#10622462)
It's just as likely that this data will be used to increase speed limits, under they theory that limits should be set at the 85th percentile of speed. Using data like this to make streets safe for people is anathema to the American driver.
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:OpenTraffic: a free, global traffic speed data set linked... by 3JPLW on Tuesday November 24, 2015 @02:23PM (#10622929)
That's probably true in many locations. Here, though, the city and university are interested in infrastructure changes that will reduce the "natural speed" of the road… effectively tackling the 85th percentile from the other direction.
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