An article on PCMAG.com today reports one of the latest GPS update from TomTom. In the Netherlands, the company is experimenting with a new system that allows drivers to monitor traffic flow patterns in (almost) real time.

Other GPS devices provide traffic information over radio networks, and some even gather data on traffic rate and flow patterns from traffic cameras and sensors. But with a new technology update TomTom may have found a better way to detect where traffic is moving and where it’s not: by monitoring driver’s mobile phones.

Cell phone towers track the movement of mobile signals, and that information is analyzed and fed back to users of TomTom HD traffic-enabled GPS navigators.

According to the article, TomTom users get a new gps update on traffic status every three minutes, which is faster than anything available from other GPS services. The information is displayed on the GPS navigator main screen, which drivers can then tap for directions on how to avoid the traffic jam up ahead.

So far the TomTom update service is available only in a few major cities in the Netherlands, but no doubt that will change soon if the service proves successful.