Patent ID: 7454442

Claim:
An interactive communications system for managing ground transportation in a geographical area, comprising: a graphical information systems (GIS) database, stored on a computer, that stores traffic data related to the geographical area, wherein the GIS database includes at least one node representing at least one geographical location within the geographic area and at least one arc representing at least one street within the geographic area; and a data fusion converter, for integrating traffic data into a single format for storage in the GIS database, wherein the data fusion converter further comprises: an impedance calculation engine, coupled to the GIS database, that determines impedances associated with the at least one node and the at least one arc, wherein the impedances are determined in real time; and a data formatter, coupled to the GIS database and to the impedance calculation engine, for formatting incoming data used by the impedance calculation engine, wherein the impedance calculation engine updates impedances associated with the at least one node and the at least one arc based on inputs from the GIS database, and selects at least one route for the ground transportation in the geographical area based on maximizing flow between a first area within the geographical area and a second area within the geographical area.