The I-95 Corridor Coalition, the University of Maryland (UMD) and US-based traffic information provider INRIX is set to expanded the Vehicle Probe Project (VPP), which continuous real-time travel information, just a year after its last expansion announcement.

The coalition will use INRIX traffic information to expand coverage to more than 40,000 miles of roads across 14 states, making it the largest traffic service in the world.

Funded with a $3.2m grant from the Federal Highway Administration, the expansion includes provision of real-time traffic information for around 300 centreline miles of freeways in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Connecticut.

The VPP expansion involves complete real-time coverage of freeways and certain arterials for Maryland, Rhode Island and the District of Columbia, along with the previously included states of North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.

In addition to the expansion, a set of new data-driven services accessible on the monitoring site by 600 professionals from more than 20 member agencies of the I-95 Corridor Coalition will be introduced, while providing the ability to comply with multiple existing and emerging federal requirements.

VPP is currently helping member agencies meet Real-time System Management Information Program (RTSMIP) requirements for monitoring traffic flows along interstates and other major highways. It is supporting its members to assess the performance of the transportation system in the areas of congestion and reliability.

"The expansion includes provision of real-time traffic information for around 300 centreline miles of freeways in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Connecticut."

VPP, which was first operational in 2008 with 1,500 miles of coverage in six states, now covers around 8,000 miles of freeways and 32,000 additional miles of state highways and arterials in 14 states.

I-95 Corridor Coalition executive director George Schoener said that the continuous expansions of the programme are a result of the proven value the project delivers for member states in terms of improved operations, better planning and performance measurement.

"By expanding coverage to four New England states for the first time, nearly every Coalition state is tapping the VPP to meet their operational needs as well as the new performance measurement requirements of the recent federal legislation, MAP-21," Schoener added.

The I-95 Corridor Coalition is a partnership of transportation agencies, toll authorities, and related organisations, including public safety, port, transit and rail organisations, from Maine to Florida and in Canada, and these agencies work together to improve long distance travel for passengers and freight.