It’s Not a Radar Detector. It’s Trapster.
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If you've read our recent "War of the Worlds" supercar comparo (ZR1 v 599 v GT2 v GT-R), undoubtedly you noticed some decidedly non-standard graphics on the white-knight Ferrari 599 GTB. Kinda looks like, wait, is that a little blue cartoon police car stuck on there? And what’s that word below it -- Trapster? Has Ferrari changed the name for the 599 Fiorano?
Actually, Trapster is a new, geopositioning-based anti-ticket technology all driving enthusiasts will want to know about. Invented by the Ferrari's owner, computer whiz Pete Tenereillo of San Diego, California (the 599 makes a nice billboard, eh?), Trapster is designed to work with or even replace your radar detector. And it's free.
Here's how Trapster works: First, download the free app to your iPhone 3G, Blackberry, or Garmin/TomTom nav unit (other devices also support Trapster; check the company’s Web site -- www.trapster.com -- for more info). With Trapster installed, simply drive. Spot a radar cop or red-light camera up ahead? Just tap your phone/nav device to report the location of the trap to the Trapster community. Everyone in the MySpace-like social network benefits -- including you. Because Trapster is two-way, traps reported by other Trapster users are automatically called out to you (using voice warnings) whenever you get near them. Trapster monitors your location via the Skyhook Wireless Wi-Fi and cell-tower-location positioning system; the Skyhook info is also enhanced with GPS positioning data.
"Red light camera!" the voice on my iPhone cautioned as I drove down a Southern California street. Sure enough, up ahead I found the fixed camera unit, waiting patiently for a chance to drain me of some cash. Mobile radar cops are obviously harder to pin-down, but the live, constantly updated Trapster reports will get more and more accurate as more users join the family.
Does Trapster need thousands of users to work effectively? Not necessarily. Tenereillo tells me only about ten active users can effectively cover major urban roads. Sure, you can simply passively monitor the system, but Tenereillo says about 40 percent of Trapster users actively provide trap reports. Again, all you need to do is tap your mobile device to "file" a report. Yes, miscreants can try to "game" the system with false reports, but other users have the ability to rate trap reports (agree/disagree) to build confidence in the real ones.
Clearly, Trapster needs a large and involved user base for maximum effectiveness, but given the spirit of our great democracy, why shouldn't it work? In the 1970s, CB radios first tied truckers into an anti-"smokey" web -- now it's time for 21st Century iPhone and Blackberry owners to enjoy the same "united we stand" power. What's more, not even the best radar or lidar detectors can match the potential real-time, cop-ahead situational awareness offered by a lively Trapster network. Even the speed cops themselves stand to benefit: If drivers are being made even more aware of their presence -- and thus minding their speedometers -- aren't the police more effectively doing their jobs?
Go ahead and take Trapster for a test drive. You've got nothing to lose -- except your license.
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