disputed, the issue at hand is how to relieve this ever increasing problem. TrafficGauge, the premiere mobile traffic map company, offers the first and only dedicated mobile traffic map covering the Seattle area. With this innovative device, the company is working with the Washington State Transportation Center at the University of Washington to perform a study by the WSDOT.

The goal of the study is to learn how the region actually benefits from motorists having access to current freeway traffic congestion information. The study funded by legislation by Senator Patty Murray, Congressman Norm Dicks and others is looking at the impact real-time traffic flow information has on drivers and the highway system in terms of expected improvements, incurred through more efficient driving behaviors. The University of Washington expects the study results in about nine months.

"This study will be used by transportation and government officials worldwide to justify the benefits of funding smart road projects to further proliferate traffic flow information to drivers. We can't be more proud that our company and the UW and WSDOT are working together on this landmark study," said Ryan Peterson, CEO and founder of TrafficGauge.

Currently drivers interested in participating in the study are signing up for their free device. Study participants are given a TrafficGauge handheld that shows in real-time which freeways in the Puget Sound metropolitan region are currently congested. In return for participating, participants receive a free TrafficGauge (normally retails for $79.95 plus tax and six months of service costs $47.94 plus tax). The device will function free of charge for six months; after six months of service, participants will be allowed to keep the TrafficGauge device and may continue service at the current rate.