SINGAPORE, 24 NOVEMBER 2009 – Drivers and commuters in Singapore will be the first in Asia to get real-time traffic updates via mobile phone as Singapore Telecommunications (SingTel) launched last week its TrafficLIVE service.
TrafficLIVE collects data from SingTel’s mobile cell network base and the Land Transport Authority’s (LTA) traffic flow feeds.
Traffic movements of mobile customers and LTA traffic flow are correlated and evaluated by advanced patented traffic science calculations. With data refreshed every five minutes, the expected output is real-time and historical information about traffic flows on most Singapore roads.
Using information from WAP-supported handsets or iPhones, SingTel customers can also plan their routes more accurately when they are informed of the traffic congestion, road blocks and roadworks.
Aside from enabling customers to check the fastest route available and estimated time of arrival, TrafficLIVE can compute the cheapest route with information on electronic road pricing (ERP) and timings.
Pre-configuration
When it comes to pre-trip planning, customers can pre-configure up to five commonly used routes, such as home to work. They can pick SMS alerts to be received regarding these routes at a specific timing of their choice.
Other free information that can be provided by TrafficLive are location-based places of interest (POIs) through GUIDE such as carpark rates, ERP gantries, petrol stations, ATMs, credit card privileges and F&B outlets.
Sarah Chua, SingTel vice president of consumer marketing, describes TrafficLIVE as going beyond the service of merely providing basic road navigation.
“Our comprehensive and accurate traffic data is derived from comprehensive feeds including the physical locations of our large mobile network base of three million customers,” Chua said. “Coupled with traffic science analysis, customers will be assured of receiving real-time and relevant traffic information, whenever they want.”
Ideal
The service is ideal for individuals almost always on the road and companies which rely on reliable traffic information for business. These include transportation, courier, logistics and F&B delivery services.
To provide the service, SingTel is collaborating with ITIS Holdings for the patented traffic science technology and Quantum Inventions to offer TrafficLIVE.
The service was launched last week with a promotion. Subscribers who sign from 20 – 29 November 2009 with selected handsets will receive the service free for six months.
Customers with WAP-supported handsets can simply dial *GUIDE (*48433) to access TrafficLIVE either on pay-per-use for S$0.21 (US$0.15) per request or a monthly fee of S$3.21 (US$2.31). For iPhone customers, the service is available on the IDEAS portal.
