Free TrafficGauge for Cell Phone

TrafficGauge for Cell Phone allows you to receive real-time traffic maps on your cellular phone by using text and picture messaging. This is a FREE beta program that gives you access to the detailed traffic conditions that you need for your commute.

Quick Start

The quick start will result in a traffic map being sent to your cell phone. All you will need to do is reply to the message you receive with a non-empty message to receive traffic updates as specified in step 2 below.

Step 1: Send a Text Message to TrafficGauge

To start getting real-time traffic on your cell phone simply send an SMS text message from your cellular phone. You can send a message HERE online or send an SMS text message from your cellular phone to 206.465.8984 with the city name associated with your city, as specified in step 4.

The returned map shows areas of HEAVY, MEDIUM, and LIGHT congestion. Areas without available traffic information are shown in GRAY.

NOTE: The time it takes for a response to arrive depends upon your carrier and network conditions. However, in most cases a response will be received within 1 to 3 minutes.

Step 2: Refresh your traffic map as needed

Once you receive the text message from TrafficGauge, simply reply to the message in your inbox with a text message for a traffic map update. The response message must contain text of some sort to be successfully delivered through the carrier networks. However, we will remember the last city that you requested data for, so you dp not need to specify the city every time.

Step 3: Zoom-in for a closer look

To zoom into traffic in your area, refresh traffic conditions as in step 2 and enter in the message the number (1-9) that corresponds with the map area you would like to focus on. Entering any two characters into the message field allows you to receive an overview of your entire city's traffic conditions. NOTE: The cellular carriers will not transmit blank messages. As such any two characters can be sent to receive the overview map.

If you have any problems using this service, please e-mail us at support@trafficgauge.com; since this is a free service we are unable to provide technical support by phone, but we will return your e-mail as soon as possible.

Step 4: Switching cities

When you first use TrafficGauge for Cell your area code is used to determine your city of interest. However, if you wish to receive data for a different city, you can do so by using the 'at' keyword in the text of the message. By sending 'at seattle' the server will switch you to the requested city, in this case Seattle. Click here for a list of supported city names. Once you switch cities, the server will remember where you last requested data for, so the 'at' identifier does not need to be used until you wish to switch cities again.

Cost
TrafficGauge for Cell Phone is currently provided by TrafficGauge for FREE. However, you are subject to the data plan costs as outlined by your carrier. Contact your cellular provider for data plan details and pricing. After the beta test period completes, a fee may apply to this service.

Requirements
Not all cell phones are able to support TrafficGauge for Mobile Web. Your cell phone must meet the following minimum requirements: 1) text messaging is enabled, and 2) picture messaging is enabled. For most carriers you can dial 611 from your cell phone to determine if you have mobile web services enabled. Some phones have problems viewing traffic maps due to image sizes and network restrictions.

SAFETY: Use TrafficGauge for Mobile Web sensibly. Make sure to check traffic conditions before you pull into traffic or when you are not moving. Immediately stop using TrafficGauge for Mobile Web if your situation, or driving conditions in general, become hazardous. Learn more about a device designed with safety in mind, the TrafficGauge Mobile Traffic Map handheld.