Exploring the WSDOT Traffic API

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) provides a public API that allows developers to access real-time traffic information for various regions in Washington state. In this blog post, we will explore the different endpoints available in the API and provide examples of how to use them in JavaScript.

Getting Started

Before we can start using the WSDOT Traffic API, we need to get an API key. You can obtain a free API key from the WSDOT website by filling out a simple form. Once you have your API key, you can start making requests to the API.

API Endpoints

The WSDOT Traffic API provides several endpoints that allow you to query real-time traffic data for different regions in Washington state. Here are some of the endpoints available:

1. Seattle Region

The Seattle region endpoint provides traffic data for the Seattle metropolitan area, including Seattle, Bellevue, and Redmond.

const apiKey = 'your-api-key';
const seattleUrl = `https://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Traffic/api/Seattle/${apiKey}`;

fetch(seattleUrl)
  .then(response => response.json())
  .then(data => console.log(data));

2. Tacoma Region

The Tacoma region endpoint provides traffic data for the Tacoma metropolitan area, including Tacoma, Lakewood, and Puyallup.

const apiKey = 'your-api-key';
const tacomaUrl = `https://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Traffic/api/Tacoma/${apiKey}`;

fetch(tacomaUrl)
  .then(response => response.json())
  .then(data => console.log(data));

3. Olympia Region

The Olympia region endpoint provides traffic data for the Olympia metropolitan area, including Olympia, Tumwater, and Lacey.

const apiKey = 'your-api-key';
const olympiaUrl = `https://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Traffic/api/Olympia/${apiKey}`;

fetch(olympiaUrl)
  .then(response => response.json())
  .then(data => console.log(data));

4. Mount Rainier Region

The Mount Rainier region endpoint provides traffic data for the Mount Rainier area, including Enumclaw, Packwood, and Mount Rainier National Park.

const apiKey = 'your-api-key';
const mountRainierUrl = `https://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Traffic/api/MountRainier/${apiKey}`;

fetch(mountRainierUrl)
  .then(response => response.json())
  .then(data => console.log(data));

Conclusion

In this blog post, we have explored the different endpoints available in the WSDOT Traffic API and provided examples of how to use them in JavaScript. The API provides real-time traffic data for various regions in Washington state, allowing developers to create applications that can help commuters and travelers avoid traffic congestion and delays. Happy coding!