![Google Maps Traffic Jam Google Maps Traffic Jam](https://i.kym-cdn.com/entries/icons/mobile/000/032/687/Screen_Shot_2020-02-03_at_12.18.15_PM.jpg)
Google Maps Traffic Jam
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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).
![99 Smartphones Simon Weckert @simon_deliver 99 smartphones are transported in a handcart to generate virtual traffic jam 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 simonweckert.com/googlemapshack... Leo-Baeck-Haus Vision For Puma e.V Gästehaus der. Humboldt-Universität. =Ziegetstrate niversitätsgebäude der tumboldt-Universität. Serviceplan Berlin GmbH & Co. Google Berlin YouTube Space Berlin Ebertbrucke nörd 6:31 AM · Feb 1, 2020 · Twitter for iPhone](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/newsfeed/001/730/436/1b3.png)
![It's possible Adrian HonO @adrianhon · Feb 2 Too good to be true, very sceptical Torrey Hoffman @torreyh Replying to @adrianhon @simon_deliver and @TomChatfield I work for Google maps and I know quite a bit about how this works. I believe this is possible. 1:12 PM · Feb 2, 2020 · Twitter for Android](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/newsfeed/001/730/437/ef9.png)
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
![Goals beyond your understanding Vision For Puma e.V Gastehaus der mboldi-Universitat gebäude der Univiersitat Serviceplan Berlin GmbH & Co. Google Berlin YouTube Space Berlin Eharthinka ANDROIDAUTHORITY.COM A guy wheeled around 99 phones in a cart to create traffic jams on Google Maps My goals are beyond your understanding.](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/newsfeed/001/730/438/835.jpg)
![Ahead A guy wheeled around 99 phones in a cart to create traffic jams on Google Maps 15.SK Shares Adamya Sharma Leo-Baeck-Haus YOU MIGHT LIKE 15 best free Androld apps avallable right now! Vision For Puma e.V Gastehaus der How to turn on dark mode in Google apps Humboldt-Universitat ata (Upcdate: Now Including more apps) itsgebäude der It-Universität. Serviceplan Berlin GmbH & Co. Travelling abroed? Google Maps can now spenk out translated destination names Google Berlin You can now cover your tracks In Google Maps thanks to Incognito mode YouTube Space B Ebertbrucke Get the Androld Authority The phones apparently fooled Google Maps into thinking that there was a high concentration of users on those streets. Because the phones were in a cart, Maps was further tricked into believing that the traffic was slow-moving. that person to google: I am 4 Parallel Universes ahead of you.](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/newsfeed/001/730/439/590.png)
![Madman Vision For Puma e.V Gästehaus der mboldt-Universität. gebäude der Iniversität... Serviceplan Berlin GmbH & Co. Google Berlin YouTube Space Berlin Eharthriieke 04 ANDROIDAUTHORITY.COM A guy wheeled around 99 phones in a cart to create traffic jams on Google Maps They called me a madman.](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/newsfeed/001/730/440/3f9.jpg)
![Regular Drivers Vision For Puma e.V Gästehaus der mboldt-Universitat zagname: gebäude der iniversität. Serviceplan Berlin GmbH & Co. Google Berlin YouTube Space Berlin Fhanhainka ANDROIDAUTHORITY.COM A guy wheeled around 99 phones in a cart to create traffic jams on Google Maps The regular drivers of that road The guy](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/newsfeed/001/730/441/7b3.jpg)
![Pixelate Erik @WildMenlnAction Replying to @simon_deliver and @drewdraws2 "Let's just pixelate the back of his head" Simon Weckert Work About 21 9:00 AM · Feb 2, 2020 · Twitter Web App](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/newsfeed/001/730/442/f9b.png)
![Phone Displays Juli Jane @_julijane_ Replying to @simon_deliver How comes that the "phone displays" look like paper printouts glued on top with unrealistic light reflections for glass, picture appearing to be not below glass and viewing angle having no effect (unlike proper displays, obvious in the video)? This seems fake as f---. 9:05 AM · Feb 2, 2020 · Twitter Web App](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/newsfeed/001/730/443/833.png)
Search Interest
External References
[1] Twitter – simon_deliver
[2] Simonweckert – Google Maps Hack
[4] 9to5google – Google Maps Hack Virtual Traffic jam
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Top Comments
meerfrau85
Feb 03, 2020 at 03:21PM EST
El piso
Feb 03, 2020 at 12:51PM EST