Display method and system for a vehicle navigation system

In a navigation system having an output screen provided in a vehicle, a method for displaying traffic information associated with a travel route from a first location to a second location, the method comprising:

• retrieving location information associated with locations of one or more traffic flow sensors along the travel route;
• acquiring broadcast traffic information data from an information supplier, the broadcast traffic information data gathered from a coverage area that includes the travel route;
• determining whether the broadcast traffic information data includes traffic information associated with the locations of the one or more traffic flow sensors;
• displaying on the output screen a traffic icon corresponding to the traffic information associated with the locations of the one or more traffic flow sensors, if the broadcast traffic information data includes traffic information associated with the location of the traffic flow sensor;
• and
• displaying on the output screen a free-flow icon corresponding to free-flowing traffic associated with the locations of the one or more traffic flow sensors, if the broadcast traffic information data does not include traffic information associated with the location of the traffic flow sensor.

A navigation system for displaying traffic-related information to a person in a vehicle traveling within a coverage area, comprising:

• a processor for controlling the operation of the navigation system;
• a position detection device in communication with the processor for determining a current position of the vehicle;
• a memory in communication with the processor for storing a road map, the road map comprising data associated with one or more roadways and freeways within the coverage area;
• a receiver in communication with the processor for receiving traffic-related information from a remote location, the traffic-related information including traffic flow data associated with one or more roadways and freeways within the coverage area;
• an output device in communication with the processor for displaying the traffic-related information to the person in the vehicle;
• a filter associated with the processor for filtering the received traffic-related information;
• wherein the filter is configured to control the output device to display detailed traffic flow data associated with roadways and freeways within a detail information area around the current position of the vehicle;
• and
• wherein the filter is configured to control the output device to display less detailed traffic flow data associated with roadways and freeways outside of the detail information area.