A traffic report is an element of a radio program or TV news broadcast that informs the listeners as to the state of roads within the broadcast area. By supplying updates during rush hours, stations provide a public service to their listeners (commuters) so that they can anticipate, and perhaps avoid, traffic congestion. Some stations will send up helicopters to fly over high traffic areas and provide live reports, while other stations rely on police scanners or commuters calling in reports via cell phones. With the advent of Intelligent Transportation Systems, many traffic reporting organizations also gather some of their information from government or privately operated traffic management systems. Radio broadcasts have been a popular entertainment since the 1910s, though popularity has declined a little in some countries since television became widespread. ... Rush hour at Tokyo Station, Yamanote Line A rush hour is a part of the day with busy traffic and hence traffic congestion on the roads and crowded public transport; normally the two periods in a day when people are travelling to or from work or school. ... Public services is a term usually used to mean services provided by government to its citizens, either directly (through the public sector) or by financing private provision of services. ... Commuting is the process of travelling from a place of residence to a place of work. ... Traffic jams are common in heavily populated areas. ... The Bell 206 of Canadian Helicopters Robinson Helicopter Company (USA) R44, a four seat development of the R22 A helicopter is an aircraft which is lifted and propelled by one or more horizontal rotors, Helicopters are classified as rotary-wing aircraft to distinguish them from conventional fixed-wing aircraft. ... Motorola T2288 mobile phone A mobile phone is a portable electronic device which behaves as a normal telephone whilst being able to move over a wide area (compare cordless phone which acts as a telephone only within a limited range). ... The Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) program is an initiative of the United States Department of Transportation to add information technology to transportation infrastructure and vehicles. ...

Usually cast as a starting role in radio, several well-known individuals have risen through the ranks as traffic reporters over the years. These include: Heather O'Rourke, Joe Nolan, Gary Powers, Maureen Holloway, Bob Holness, Heidi Hamilton, Donna Fiducia, Dini Petty, Janice Dean, Angie Coiro, Christine Eads, Lynn Bowles, and Jane Dornacker. Francis Gary Powers with a model of the U-2. ... Maureen Holloway is a Canadian radio personality, entertainer and comedian. ... Bob Holness (born 1928) is a British actor and presenter. ... Heidi Hamilton Heidi Hamilton (born 1973 in Batesville, Indiana) is an American radio personality. ... Donna Fiducia (born December 5, 1954) is a top and bottom of the hour news reader on Fox News Channel. ... Dini Petty (born January 15, 1945 in Kingston upon Thames, Greater London, England) is a Canadian television and radio host. ... Janice Dean is a Canadian weather personality on the Fox News Channel. ... Angie Coiro Angie Coiro is the host of Mother Jones Radio on Air America Radio. ... Christine Eads is a host of the Broadminded Radio program on XM Radios Take 5 Channel. ... Lynn Bowles is the BBC Radio 2 traffic reporter. ... Jane Dornacker (in studio). ...

See also

• Traffic Message Channel - an automated service operational in Europe.
• Floating Car Data - an embedded traffic measurement system.