It has been almost 13 years since the Maps of Google (Google Maps) began providing traffic data, while also providing details on whether traffic along a route is excessive, estimated travel time, and estimated time of arrival.
In an effort to further enhance these capabilities, Google and Alphabet's AI research lab DeepMind improved real-time estimated times by up to 50% in places like Sydney, Tokio, το Βερολίνο, την Τζαcard, Sao Paulo and Washington DC using a machine learning technique also known as graphical neural networks.
Google Maps product manager Johann Lau said the Maps use aggregate location data and traffic pattern histories to understand traffic conditions to determine current traffic estimates. traffic jams during a trip.
"Our forecasts are now very accurate. "In fact, we see that our forecasts have been consistently accurate for over 97% of trips. This technique allows Google Maps to better predict whether or not they will be affected by a delay that may not have started yet." a suspension on the blog.
DeepMind researchers say they used graphic neural networks to allow Google Maps to incorporate "relational learning biases to model the connectivity structure of real road networks."
"Our experiments have shown to work in predictive power and now include adjacent roads that are not part of the main road," he said. the blog of DeepMind.
At the same time, Google Maps noted that the machine learning model has been updated to take into account changes in global traffic patterns since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The model, according to Lau, prioritizes historical traffic patterns from the last two to four weeks and downgrades patterns that existed before the COVID-19 crisis.
Lau added that traffic forecast models are also very key to how Google Maps determines driving routes:
"If we anticipate that traffic is likely to increase in one direction, we will automatically find you a lower traffic alternative.
We also look at several other factors such as road quality. Is the road paved or unpaved, covered in gravel, dirt or mud? Elements like these can make a road difficult to drive and we are less likely to recommend that road for a route of yours. We also consider the size and straightness of a road – driving on a major motorway is often faster than taking a smaller road with many stops.”
