Knoxville's WTNZ FOX 43 Launches Free Mobile Traffic Camera Service

The daily commute is an unwelcome grind for many people who must drive to and from work. In Knoxville, Tennesee, drivers now have a new tool at their disposal to potentially cut down on how much time they spend behind the wheel going to and coming from work.

 

The local FOX station in Knoxville, WTNZ FOX 43, now offers a free mobile traffic camera service for area residents. Fox 43 Traffic Tracker is powered by service from Mobileyes software. It provides daily commuters in the region with a view, on their mobile devices, of traffic tie-ups on their mobile devices.

 

"This service offers Tennessee commuters a hand in planning the quickest, most fuel-efficient and safest routes, wherever they're heading," said John Hayes, vice president and general manager of WTNZ-TV, Raycom Media, Tennessee.

 

The Fox 43 Traffic Tracker relies on more than 65 traffic cameras operated by TDOT SmartWay, the state's traffic management system. The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) designed SmartWay to use advanced information technologies in order to improve the safety and operation of highways and other transportation modes, such as public transit.

 

"The Tennessee Department of Transportation is excited to develop an enhanced partnership with WTNZ and 3rd Dimension to offer live streaming video to the drivers of Tennessee," said Travis Brickey, communications and community relations officer. "This partnership provides not only enhanced services to Tennessee commuters, but it shows our comprehensive camera network has great potential."

 

The Mobileyes software platform was developed by 3rd Dimension, a New York-based mobile marketing and technology company.

 

"Mobile technology is pushed to the limit everyday with new advances. Hand held devices are becoming an important part of our culture and grow increasingly powerful and personal," said Eric Joseph, president, 3rd Dimension. "The 3rd Dimension Mobileyes application supports that trend in providing a value-added service to consumers whenever they need it."

 

The Fox 43 Traffic Tracker application is compatible with data enabled phones on the Sprint, Verizon Wireless, AT&T and T-Mobile networks, and phones such as the BlackBerry, Palm Treo and the Motorola Q.

 

Commuters can download the video application by calling to 866-59FOX43 (866-593-6943) or from the Web site (www.wtnzfox43.com). Once the application is downloaded, drivers can view real-time traffic images from any of the cameras along their route and can even program keys on their phone to quickly access their favorites.

Tennessee is the fifth market in the country to launch the mobile traffic service. The first was launched in early 2007 in collaboration with WCBS Newsradio 880 in New York City. The second market, Houston, went live in December 2007 followed by Indianapolis and Kansas City in March 2008.