A study of San Jose drivers shows signs that apps for sharing real-time traffic data can ease the stress of commuting. UC Berkeley Professor Alex Bayen says those drivers felt better about the commute than those not using the app.

"In America, people spend more time in their cars than on vacation," Bayen says. "I think that having a social network aspect to commuting is going to change the experience. That’s what we’re seeing in the data."

Bayen also says the ability to share feelings about the commute with others appears to make the commute more enjoyable.