FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT
June 16, 2011 Emily Fishkin: 202-721-4204; efishkin@itsa.orgLauren Jochum: 202-721-4239;
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ITS America Smart Solution Spotlight
Technology Helps New York/New Jersey Commuters Avoid Traffic Congestion
WASHINGTON, DC –New technology deployed by the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Bridges and Tunnels division, TRANSCOM, and the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJ DOT) are helping drivers avoid traffic congestion by enabling accurate travel time predictions and road condition information in real-time.
MTA’s website, www.traveltime.mta.info, provides travel time information that the public can use in planning trips across the agency’s seven bridges and two tunnels in New York City. The site is updated every five minutes to give motorists the most up-to-date information available. Having expanded Transmit -- the regional traffic monitoring system operated by TRANSCOM – to generate additional travel time for the region, MTA B&T also provides motorists with real time travel information to major regional destinations and connecting highways via electronic message signs.
Drivers on New Jersey’s most heavily traveled highways can download a free smart phone application called trumpit to receive audio traffic alerts customized to their commute and up-to-the minute travel estimates for some of the area’s most popular highways.
MTA, TRANSCOM, and NJ DOT were recognized today by the nation’s largest transportation technology organization with a Smart Solution Spotlight award for using innovative technology – known as Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) – to save commuters time, reduce delays and improve safety along major traffic corridors.
“Real-time traffic information is making life easier for commuters as a way to “know before you go,” so drivers can make more informed decisions and choose the fastest route,” said Scott Belcher, President and CEO of the Intelligent Transportation Society of America. “MTA, TRANSCOM, and NJ DOT are demonstrating how public agencies can cost-effectively use technology to reduce traffic congestion and ease frustration for daily commuters.” MTA and TRANSCOM were also honored with the ITS Project of the Year Award by the Intelligent Transportation Society of New York, the New York State Chapter of ITS America.
MTA Offers Real-Time Travel Info for Bridges and Tunnels
In addition to Travel Time, available on both the web and mobile devices, MTA’s Real Time Variable Message Signs allow drivers to make smarter on-the-road decisions about which route to take.
“Giving motorists real travel time information not only allows drivers to make more informed driving choices, it also helps us improve traffic flow,” said Bridges and Tunnels Chief Technology Officer Tariq Habib. “Drivers heading across the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge from Brooklyn can now decide whether to take the upper or lower level of the bridge depending on the Real Time sign, and by directing traffic to the level with the fewest vehicles we are able to balance the flow of traffic.”.
MTA Bridges and Tunnels provides information for the following bridges and tunnels: Bronx–Whitestone Bridge, Brooklyn–Battery Tunnel, Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge, Henry Hudson Bridge, Marine Parkway Bridge, Queens Midtown Tunnel, Robert F. Kennedy Bridge, Throgs Neck Bridge and Verrazano-Narrows Bridge.
To learn more about the project, contact Jing Du at (646) 252-7127.
New Jersey DOT’s “trumpit” phone app provides tailor-made traffic alerts
Drivers on New Jersey’s most heavily traveled highways can download a free smart phone application called Trumpit to receive traffic alerts and up-to-the minute travel estimates for some of the area’s most popular highways, including I-80, I-78, I-287, I-295, the Turnpike, the Parkway, the Atlantic City Expressway and the I-76/NJ42 freeway. Trumpit, available to iPhone, BlackBerry or Android users, provides drivers with alerts on traffic conditions, weather advisories and public safety alerts while en route. Trumpit also prevents driver distraction by providing audio alerts instead of text messages or web pages.
“This application provides drivers with traffic information about the highways they care about at the times when they need it without having to take their eyes off the road. It discourages distracted driving and allows our customers to make better travel choices,” said Dennis Motiani, Director of Division of Traffic Operations at NJ DOT.
Customers who want to use Trumpit should sign up for My511NJ at www.511nj.org to enable alerts, then down the Trumpit application for free. They can select the routes they travel frequently to receive traffic alerts.
The Popular Driving Times widget allows visitors to the 511nj.org Web site to choose one of eight busy New Jersey highways. Once a road is selected, the widget displays real-time estimated travel times for popular segments of those roads. For example, if a user were to choose I-287 southbound, the widget would display estimated travel times for three segments: the New York State Line to I-80, I-80 to I-78 and I-78 to the New Jersey Turnpike. Users can also start receiving alerts prior to their trip to know what roads are experiencing high traffic volume.
The travel-time estimates are recalculated every one to two minutes. By mid-2011, the Trumpit app will be able to use a smart phone’s GPS location feature to send audio alerts to drivers relevant to their location at that time.
Since the app has been available, NJ DOT has seen a great response from users.
"This is one of the most useful apps I have installed on my phone. As a professional driver I have used the NJ511.org system on my PC for awhile now. The integration with an iPhone app was a huge step forward and truly helps me route my drivers around the State of New Jersey in the most efficient manner possible while on the fly...I would highly recommend this app whether you use it every day like I do or just every once in awhile."
To learn more about Trumpit, please contact Dennis Motiani at (609)530-4690. Additional information about Trumpit is available on the FAQs tab at 511nj.org.
About the Intelligent Transportation Society of America
ITS America is the leading advocate for ITS technology development and deployment in the United States. ITS America was established in 1991 as a not-for-profit organization to foster the use of advanced technologies across America’s surface transportation system. Members include private companies and industry leaders, government agencies at all levels, universities and research laboratories. For more information, visit www.itsa.org.
The Intelligent Transportation Society of New York is the New York State Chapter of ITS America. ITS-NY is non-lobbying, non-profit organization of public, private, and academic sector organizations having an interest in the research, deployment, and operation of Intelligent Transportation Systems and Services in New York. ITS-NY provides ITS education and outreach to foster the understanding of ITS applications and technologies through regular meetings, special conferences and technical programs, and other communications. Visit www.its-ny.org for more information.