The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) in the US has upgraded its online travel information service, 511NY, to provide real-time road and highways traffic data to drivers across the state.
The upgraded service is expected to help drivers avoid traffic congestion and take alternative routes.
Information from the 511NY will help drivers avoid traffic jams caused by the ongoing NY works programme.
New York governor Andrew M Cuomo said that through the NY Works programme, the state would invest billions of dollars in infrastructure projects across the state.
"With summer just beginning, it is important that drivers stay updated on these projects so they know of any traffic tie ups or backups before they get on the road," he said.
AAA Legislative Committee chairman John Corlett said that the updated 511NY website and app would significantly help travellers throughout the summer by giving them advanced notice of construction, closings and poor weather conditions.
"This information allows them to seek alternative routes or travel at different times in order to avoid delays," he said. "But most importantly, it will remind New Yorkers to travel safely."
NYSDOT has upgraded the 511NY site to include real-time traffic, transit information from across the state, offer a transit trip planner, camera views, weather alerts and forecasts, as well as emergency notifications.
New features that include mobile apps, bridge and border crossing times for both directions between the US and Canada on the Peace, Rainbow and Lewiston-Queenston bridges, new notifications on the homepage, and a user-friendly navigation interface.
The upgraded site also allows the users to personalise their maps and save familiar routes. The 511NY service is available on the website, through telephone, and there will also shortly be a new smartphone application for iPhone, BlackBerry and Android devices.
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