Digital News Report- Bay Area drivers have been greeted with a blessing this week as NBC has introduced the NBC Bay Area Traffic Cam program. Users can use a mobile device to get live video from traffic cameras operated by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to plan the safest of most efficient commutes. Cameras on route to area ski slopes and beaches will also be available.
“The Bay Area is known for leading the way in technology and we’re very happy to bring this latest innovation to help commuters,” said Mike Inouye, NBC Bay Area Traffic Anchor. “NBC Bay Area Traffic Cam will allow commuters to steer clear of headaches on the highways before they hit the back-up.”
Commuters can use data enabled phones on the Sprint, Verizon Wireless, AT&T and T-Mobile networks as well as the iPhone, BlackBerry, Palm and Motorola Q smart phones. The service can be downloaded from the NBC Bay Area website or by calling 1-877-622-2291. NBC boasts the program as, “simple and user-friendly” and allows you to save favorite routes for quick and easy access.
“The more information we can get to the driver, the better. An informed driver is a safe driver,” said Randell Iwasaki, chief deputy director for the California Department of Transportation.
Eric Joseph, president and COO, 3rd Dimension said, “Nearly three quarters of all Bay Area commuters drive to work which translates into tens of thousands of commuters getting stuck on heavily traveled highways like the 101. The launch of the NBC Bay Area Traffic Cam will help drivers plan their routes better no matter where they are going into and out of the Bay Area.”
3rd Dimension, Inc., a mobile marketing and application company, is offering the service using its’ Mobileyes platform. They offer similar services in Hartford, New York, Los Angeles, Kansas City, Houston, Knoxville, Indianapolis, Detroit, and Washington, D.C.