Map colors on CNV-43 -- Traffic?

[HowD]

Hello.

I've noticed that routes are different colors on the map.  For example, the route I am supposed to follow is purple.  Often I see that other streets are a dark yellow, and others are red.  Are the yellow and red supposed to be traffic indicators?  I'll see red indicated on the map yet traffic is flowing just fine.  (If these are not traffic indicators, what do the colors indicate?  I figured that purple is the route I should take...)

I believe the traffic status is provided by Navteq.  How do they determine the conditions? I know that Google Maps uses information from people who have the Google map application on their smart phones.  It aggregates the data and figures out what areas are clogged up.  That basically means the traffic information is fairly current.  What's the timeframe on the Navteq traffic? 

Thanks,
--
HowD

[Jax]

I don't have an Insignia GPS unit, but some of these features are likely very similar.

The unit I have sometimes highlights an alternate route, so that may be what some of those colored roads are. I don't think Navteq does traffic on anything but freeways and highways.

Navteq uses the same basic traffic data that the news, your states transportation site, and even Google Maps uses. Both Navteq and Google get speeds from actual devices in use. The accuracy and up-to-dateness of that traffic just depends on how many people are using it in that area. I don't think there are nearly as many devices relaying traffic data back to Navteq as there are back to Google since all Google Maps GPS devices report back to Google, while only some Navteq devices do.