New smart phone app means safer, shorter commutes
TRENTON, NJ – The
Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS America) today honored the New
Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) and Turnpike Authority for implementing new technology that will improve
traffic safety while helping New Jersey drivers avoid congestion and find more
convenient travel routes.
Recognizing
the NJDOT as a national leader in transportation innovation, ITS America
President and CEO Scott Belcher presented NJDOT Commissioner Jim Simpson with
the Smart Solution Spotlight award for the agency’s use of innovative
technology to provide New Jersey commuters with more accurate and timely
information about traffic conditions, weather situations, and safety
advisories.
Drivers
on New Jersey’s most heavily traveled highways can download a free smart phone
application called Trumpit to receive audio-based traffic, weather and
public safety alerts customized to their commute.
“Real-time
traffic information is making life easier for commuters as a way to ‘know
before you go,’ so drivers can make informed decisions and choose the most
convenient and efficient route,” said ITS America’s Scott Belcher. “The
NJDOT and Turnpike Authority are demonstrating how public agencies can deploy
cost-effective technology solutions to reduce traffic congestion, improve
public safety, and ease frustration for area residents and commuters.”
“This
application provides real-time traffic information to drivers not just on the
Turnpike or Parkway but on all roadways in New Jersey without having to take
their eyes off the road,” said Ronnie Hakim, Executive Director of the New
Jersey Turnpike Authority. “It discourages distracted driving and allows
our customers to make better travel choices.”
Trumpit, developed by HNTB, allows drivers
to receive real-time traffic alerts and other important public safety messages
without having to take their eyes of the road. By downloading the free Trumpit
app for their iPhones, Droids or BlackBerrys, motorists can receive audio
alerts about delays on the Turnpike, the Garden State
Parkway, I-80, I-78, I-287, I-295, the Atlantic City Expressway and the
I-76/NJ42 freeway. Motorists can tailor the alerts to their commutes by
selecting the section of highway and time of day they travel. The arrival
of a new alert causes a tone to sound on the motorist’s smart phone. By
pressing a single button, the motorist can hear the full alert. Customers
who want to use Trumpit must sign up for My511NJ Personalized Alerts at www.511nj.org.
“New Jersey has
a very complex network of highways and toll roads that intersect each other
throughout the entire state,” said Dennis Motiani, Director, Statewide Traffic
Operations, NJDOT. “What makes this application unique is that customers
can get useful, real time traffic information for New Jersey’s entire state,
interstate and toll roads network from a single source delivered in such a way
that it minimizes driver distraction.”
Since the app
has been available, NJDOT has seen a great response from users.
"This is one of the most useful apps I have installed on my phone,” said
Chris, the owner of a rush courier business that provides
24/7 ground transportation services in New Jersey. “As a
professional driver I have used the NJ511.org system on my PC for a while
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 a while.”
To learn more
about Trumpit, please contact Jim Hadden at NJDOT (609) 530-4690. Additional information about Trumpit
is available on the FAQs tab at 511nj.org. To see more testimonials from
users, please visit http://www.linkedin.com/pub/trumpit-virtual-variable-message-sign/27/a26/a6b.
About the Intelligent Transportation Society of
America
ITS
America was established in 1991 as a not-for-profit organization to foster the
use of advanced technologies across America’s 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
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