What does real time traffic data do?

RetiredWingMan

I've seen in several topics mention that enabling offline operation will disable real time traffic data. My question is, what does real time traffic data give you?

Does it affect routing when you start navigation?
Does it provide any alerts during navigation
Can it cause navigation to offer alternate routing?
Do you get visual information while navigating?

To be honest, I don't do much city driving. The only time I've seen anything was a visual indication of slow traffic, on a country road with no traffic! I'm wondering what value if any is provided by the real time traffic.

Corjan Meijerink

@RetiredWingMan good question

1: yes (not for planned routes unless a planned route is completely closed due to a traffic incident)
2: no, on our backlog
3: yes and no. No because when deviating from a route you initially are returned back to the original route. If that is not possible a new (fastest) route is calculated. That then takes the current traffic into consideration. Actively informing about incidents and suggesting alternatives routes is on our backlog.
4: yes, you see icons on the map. They are however quite small and we do not actively inform you about them. That is, as said, on our list

RetiredWingMan

@Corjan-Meijerink thanks for response. I remember one time last year I was heading out, I think on a planned route, shortly after we got going I noticed that there was a detour in the planned route due to a closed road. That's the only time I can think of when being traffic aware probably worked.