CAPITAL REGION Phones can provide pictures of traffic State puts camera shots on the Web BY KATHY PARKER Gazette Reporter
Highway travelers have another way to check traffic before they head out each day now that the state’s live traffic cameras can be accessed from Web-enabled cellphones and personal digital assistants or PDAs. Department of Transportation spokesman Peter VanKeuren said the transmission of camera shots to cellphones began this week. “Long Island has had the capability for a while now, and DOT has brought it to the Capital Region,” VanKeuren said. The Web site, www.informny. com/mobile%2Dr1/, has been accessible on computers but not hand-held devices, according to VanKeuren. He stressed people should not access the site while they are driving. “This is a service that should be accessed before taking off,” he said. “Trip information should not be accessed while driving.” He said 30 cameras have been mounted throughout the region on I-787, I-90 and I-87 and they monitor traffic in Schenectady, Albany, Rensselaer and Saratoga counties. “The new site lets users view live traffic camera snapsnots. Important traffic alerts and daily road work listings on state roadways are also provided on www.travelinfony. com,” he said. “Better management of traffic conditions benefits the Capital District through improved traffi c flow, reduced trip time, less congestion, reduced energy consumption and improved regional economic productivity.” He said traffic conditions can change quickly. “It only takes a couple of minutes for an accident to occur and traffi c to back up,” VanKeuren said. The cameras are on 24 hours a day and seven days a week. VanKeuren noted television and radio stations generally broadcast traffic reports only during the weekday commuting hours. “This is an opportunity for motorists to see what’s going on along their route no matter when they are going out,” he said. “If you’re leaving a movie, you can check the ride home before you head out.” COMPUTER SCREEN SHOT One of the cameras maintained by the state Department of Transportation shows Web users what traffic levels look like on I-87 near Exit 9 in Clifton Park on Wednesday.
They monitor traffic flow on the highways - warn of accidents, tie ups, etc. All the local news stations use these cameras on their news reports, websites, etc.
Logged
