It was the year of the car.
The year of electric vehicles.
The decade of the self-driving car.
And the year the state of Indiana started using a state-of-the-art map for highway traffic, along with an official highway map that has since become a staple of the state.
“I think it’s pretty clear that the public is in a very good place right now, but there are still some areas that are going to be a bit more challenging for us to be able to take advantage of all of those,” said Indiana State Highway Patrol Sgt. Greg Boudreau, who led the mapping effort.
“We’re going to have to do some more work and we’re going see how the next couple of months go.”
In the new map, the first step is identifying what roads are most congested, and what roads will get most traffic.
Bouds said the map will also give highway patrol the ability to track the progress of highway construction, with roads that are in a construction zone getting extra attention, and roads with a heavy traffic flow being more difficult.
The new map also gives the department the ability on a weekly basis to get an update on traffic on the highways, and a more accurate count of the number of vehicles using the highways.
Bonta said the maps will also be updated to include information about where people who are traveling alone, have limited mobility, and are unable to get to their destination can park and use the highway.
“It’s really important for us that we’re able to know where people are going,” Bontas said.
“That’s where our focus is going to really be.”
In a letter to the state legislature, the Department of Transportation outlined the maps challenges and suggested ways to make them easier to use, including updating them to incorporate all new data, including a new road database and a new GPS system that will track all the data to ensure accurate and timely updates.
The department also wants to expand its use of the map by creating a more complete and personalized map for the state to use.
“One of the things that we are doing with this new map is making sure that the road and roadways that we create can be as accurate and complete as we can be,” Bouda said.
The map was created to be easier to understand and use, he added, and it’s already helping the state navigate the state’s highways more efficiently.
The state’s highway patrol has already begun mapping the state highway network.
“You can’t be in the highway right now and not be aware of what’s going on, but I think it will be very helpful for us as we work through the next few months,” Baughs said.
Boulware said the mapping project is just one of the projects the state is undertaking to get the state more ready for the transition to self-drive vehicles.
“The other big challenge is actually getting the state ready for all of these new technologies,” Boulwer said.
