Google Maps Traffic Jam

Overview

Google Maps Traffic Jam refers to a February 2020 performance by Berlin-based artist Simon Weckert. Weckert placed 99 smartphones in a pull wagon transported it through a series of roads to effect Google Maps traffic information creating a virtual traffic jam.

Background

On February 1st, 2020, Simon Weckert uploaded "Google Maps Hacks by Simon Weckert" to YouTube (shown below). The video gained over 591,600 views and 4,900 likes in two days. The artist posted aa description of this performance art piece to his website.^[2]

Developments

On February 1st, 2020, Simon Weckert^[1] tweeted a link to his website with the caption, "99 smartphones are transported in a handcart to generate virtual traffic jams in Google Maps. Through this activity, it is possible to turn a green street red which has an impact in the physical world by navigating cars on another route! #googlemapshacks" (shown below, left). The tweet garnered over 32,300 likes and 14,300 retweets in two days. The next day, Twitter users began to discuss the performance as a possible fake. Twitter user @adrianhon responded "Too good to be true, very sceptical" to which @TomChatfield^[3] responded "I work for Google maps and I know quite a bit about how this works. I believe this is possible" (shown below, right).

On February 3rd, 9to5Google^[4] recieved a statement from a Google spokesperson who said, "In normal usage, Google does use a large number of devices running Maps in a single place as proof of a traffic jam, something this rare and very specific case took advantage of."

Various Examples

Search Interest

External References