Exemplary embodiments of this invention encompass a method that includes receiving information packets transmitted from a plurality of vehicles, each information packet including at least a location of a vehicle that transmits the information packet; analyzing the plurality of information packets to infer a presence of a transportation hazard at a particular location and a type of transportation hazard as being one of a static or a dynamic transportation hazard; and transmitting warning information descriptive of the particular location and the type of transportation hazard for reception at least by vehicles likely to encounter the transportation hazard. In another aspect the exemplary embodiments encompass a method that includes manually activating a transducer in a vehicle in response to observing an actual or a potential transportation hazard and, in response to the manual activation, wirelessly transmitting from the vehicle at least one information packet that includes at least a current location of the vehicle when the information packet is transmitted.