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Information Technology News Sentinel launches myDrive traffic portal
Information Technology News Sentinel launches myDrive traffic portal | Sentinel launches myDrive traffic portal |
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| by Stephen Withers | |
| Tuesday, 14 August 2007 | |
  
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Live traffic data is compiled from official sources such as VicRoads and the RTA, plus field and radio reports. Safety information - such as the location of school zones and safety cameras, speed limit changes, and accident black spots - is updated weekly. News and weather reports are sourced from the ABC and the Bureau of Meteorology, and geocoded by Sentinel before being relayed to customers. "For the first time, Australia road users have the missing link between real-time information on traffic conditions and an improved view of their journey ahead," said Craig Morrison, MD of Sentinel Content, the company behind myDrive and the Intelecast platform that it is built upon. The service costs $A4.95 per month. Users are able to enter a route (regular journeys can be stored in the system), and myDrive will show the relevant information. Fuel and parking information is being piloted, with planned availability towards the end of 2007 or early 2008. The location, hours and types of fuel offered by service stations will be included, and prices will be updated three times a day. The number of spaces (and, where the information is available, available spaces) will be shown for car parks. Sentinel also offers as service that allows drivers to specify their intended departure time in order to receive via SMS or email the latest warnings shortly before they leave. While it would be technically possible to send SMS warnings of relevant events as they arise, the company is concerned about the safety issues surrounding in-car SMS use. That said, the company does already offer an SMS service (19DRIVE) that allows users to send their current location (easy with a GPS-enabled phone) plus a radius of interest (in kilometres or minutes of driving time) to receive a current report. Looking further ahead, Sentinel plans to offer an in-car service that will be offered through navigation device vendors, and during 2008 will begin using 'probe' vehicles to collect actual travel time data. Fleet operators, including taxi services, may be offered the use of the system in exchange for providing speed and location information. |
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