4 ms·

The drivers don’t “fiddle with an app”. The apps use geo location to notify the traffic control system when they are near an intersection. https://www.brussels

The drivers don’t “fiddle with an app”. The apps use geo location to notify the traffic control system when they are near an intersection. https://www.brusselstimes.com/512118/flemish-traffic-lights-will-soon-turn-green-faster-if-no-other-cars-are-around https://www.brusselstimes.com/512118/flemish-traffic-lights-... > As soon as a driver approaches an intersection with smart traffic lights, a signal is sent via their app and the cloud to the computer controlling those traffic lights.

robocat 1y ago
And the reason only some maps apps work, is that Apple don't allow a background App to keep running that tracks GPS and reports location over data??? I'm guessing
- gruez 1y ago
  AFAIK background location is opt in, but only requires the developer to check a box in their xcode project. It's not like you have fill out a form and have apple approve it or something. https://developer.apple.com/documentation/corelocation/handling-location-updates-in-the-background https://developer.apple.com/documentation/corelocation/handl...
- fn-mote 1y ago
  Surely the reason is that neither Apple Maps nor Google Maps is willing to add the code to interface with the special Flemish Traffic Signal API. The market is too small, and there’s no profit to be made. Unlike the “you could take an Uber” ad in Google Maps.
  - robocat 1y ago
    Yes, but why do they want to be integrated with a maps App? If it can work as a background App then why not? And if you're in charge of the Google Maps App, you know you'll get blamed for draining the battery and transmitting location data continuously. It smells like someone in Belgium is lying or is looking for a scapegoat excuse. The reasoning just doesn't sound right, technically. Is there an international standard API for this? Perhaps one used mostly for emergency services? Neither Google nor Apple would want to code crap in for every single country's weird features.
    - Ajedi32 1y ago
      Probably because maps apps can do useful things like tell the light whether you're intending to turn right or not.
    - Too 1y ago
      Because users don’t want to install apps that have access to gps in the background.
hulitu 1y ago
> a signal is sent via their app and the cloud to the computer controlling those traffic lights No network, red light. /s

robocat 1y ago

And the reason only some maps apps work, is that Apple don't allow a background App to keep running that tracks GPS and reports location over data??? I'm guessing

gruez 1y ago
AFAIK background location is opt in, but only requires the developer to check a box in their xcode project. It's not like you have fill out a form and have apple approve it or something. https://developer.apple.com/documentation/corelocation/handling-location-updates-in-the-background https://developer.apple.com/documentation/corelocation/handl...
fn-mote 1y ago
Surely the reason is that neither Apple Maps nor Google Maps is willing to add the code to interface with the special Flemish Traffic Signal API. The market is too small, and there’s no profit to be made. Unlike the “you could take an Uber” ad in Google Maps.
- robocat 1y ago
  Yes, but why do they want to be integrated with a maps App? If it can work as a background App then why not? And if you're in charge of the Google Maps App, you know you'll get blamed for draining the battery and transmitting location data continuously. It smells like someone in Belgium is lying or is looking for a scapegoat excuse. The reasoning just doesn't sound right, technically. Is there an international standard API for this? Perhaps one used mostly for emergency services? Neither Google nor Apple would want to code crap in for every single country's weird features.
  - Ajedi32 1y ago
    Probably because maps apps can do useful things like tell the light whether you're intending to turn right or not.
  - Too 1y ago
    Because users don’t want to install apps that have access to gps in the background.

hulitu 1y ago

> a signal is sent via their app and the cloud to the computer controlling those traffic lights No network, red light. /s