Gridlock in Canada's larger cities seems to now be a way of life, including times outside of rush hour. Real-time traffic updates have been a premium feature on GPS navigation units for a while, but there are also smartphone apps that can help provide relief from the congestion.
Google Maps
Free
Available at: Android phones, iPhone and iPad (built-in)
Google Maps' best feature has been its ability to provide directions on any route, but some users might not know that it can also offer traffic information as well. This feature is turned off by default, but once you enable it, the map will show green, yellow and red lines across the main roads and highways.
Green lines indicate good traffic flow, yellows indicate slower, but moderate speed, while red is a clear sign of bumper-to-bumper congestion, the scene of a collision or lane closures.
The simplicity is great, but unfortunately Google hasn't tied the two core functions together for better routes. It doesn't steer you away from the red zones when it clearly has other options via side streets to get you to point B with less hassle. It would also be nice if Google could provide direct access to traffic cameras for a better view.
Beat the Traffic
Free ($9.99 for extra features)
$19.99 per year for My Traffic account
Available at: Apple App Store, BlackBerry App World
This app also uses Google Maps but changes the way it displays traffic information to give you a little more insight into what to expect on your route. The same green, yellow and red lines are used to indicate traffic flow, except Beat the Traffic includes a small chart to show the speed range, and even weather conditions.
This includes access to traffic cameras along highways in and around Toronto, but doesn't seem to include any other Canadian cities yet. Paying for the Pro version on the BlackBerry and an annual My Traffic account expands the app's functionality to include the ability to set your own routes. This way, you can see what your daily commute will look like.
The problem is that Beat the Traffic focuses largely on highways, expressways and major streets and, since there's no navigation, it can't direct you around a sticky situation.
TrafficNet
Free
Available at: Apple App Store, BlackBerry App World
This app uses the Canadian Traffic Network to not only display Google Maps, but also adds the presence of traffic conditions, as it relates to weather, collisions, incidents, police closures and construction zones.
Where TrafficNet shines is in its ability to point out where all these things are taking place, right down to the street or intersection. Knowing that is enough to help avoid a certain route, but it's different when it comes to traffic flow. TrafficNet might indicate good traffic flow in one area, but looking at it through one of the traffic cameras might suggest otherwise.
You can access just about any traffic camera available in the major Canadian municipalities that are supported. Some, like Halifax, Regina and Quebec City, aren't supported in TrafficNet at all. While very useful at times, the app can be a bit slow, making it tougher to use on the road.