Three Technology Startups Take On Gridlock

"Several startups are trying to alleviate everyday slowdowns by giving drivers real-time information online about the worst congestion points."

...Palo Alto-based Circumnav Networks turns the cars "themselves into traffic data-collection devices, which then share the data wirelessly with other Circumnav-powered cars. This creates a 'social network' of traffic information that all drivers in the network can use to select their routes. The prototype data-collecting device doubles as a dash-top traffic and navigation system."