Traffic updates transmitted to Calgary commuters

A new city project that sends traffic updates by e-mail and text message aims to help Calgary drivers pick alternate routes before getting jammed in gridlock.

The service launched Thursday will send traffic information, including road closures and accidents on major roads, to cellphones, BlackBerrys or computers.

Commuters can sign up and customize the updates they want, according to the time of day they travel and the routes they follow.

"We want to, in a cost-efficient way, have the ability to get better traffic information out to the public so they can make more informed choices," said Judy Yu, the city's transportation systems engineer Friday.

To avoid commuters checking their devices while driving, Yu said they can sign up for updates to be delivered before they leave home or work.

The pilot project is being introduced after 57 per cent of Calgarians polled in 2007 said they would prefer to get traffic information in an e-mail or web-based format.

The city has partnered with a private Calgary company, Text Traffic Solutions (TTS), which will take care of hosting and technical support for the five-month test.

The $20,000 cost is being split evenly between the city and TTS, which offers similar services in Toronto and Vancouver.

The instant traffic update service is free, but there may be costs attached depending on the subscriber's telecom provider.

Subscribers will be asked for feedback in June and in August on the system's accuracy and effectiveness, while city staff will evaluate the technical and business results, said Yu.

The city already has a radio station with updated traffic information on 106.5 FM.