An in-vehicle navigation system includes a receiver for receiving real-time traffic
information (RTTI), a database for storing routine trip information, and a processor
for running a regular route application. The regular route application includes
a learning mode program and an operational mode program. The learning mode program
records information regarding trips regularly taken by a vehicle and populates
the database with records of routine trip information. The recorded trip information
can include driver identifiers, trip departure times, origin points, destination
points, dates of travel, days of travel, and route data. When the vehicle begins
a new trip, the operational mode program determines whether the vehicle is engaging
in a routine trip. This is accomplished by comparing current vehicle location or
departure time information to routine trip information in the database. If the
vehicle is starting a routine trip, the operational mode program retrieves from
the database trip information stored in a trip record associated with the routine
trip, accesses RTTI corresponding to the trip information, and notifies an end
user about traffic conditions indicated by the RTTI.