New Mobile Service
Traffic Scotland has launched a brand new mobile service
(m.trafficscotland.org) that allows real-time
traffic information to be accessed on the move. The new mobile service will now be accessible on a wide
range of internet enabled mobile devices, including the latest generation of smartphones and new tablet
devices. It has been developed to replace the legacy PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) site. However, it
will also benefit users of the current
Traffic Scotland iPhone, android and windows phone applications launched in
partnership with Traveline Scotland. Existing users are encouraged to try this out for a better experience.
The new service has been guided by the following key principles:
- Make effective use of available technology, combined with recent enhancements to the Traffic Scotland desktop website;
- Offer the best possible “device independent” service to ensure the widest reach to users;
- Continue support for older generation mobile devices; and
- Offer a personalised and user friendly service.
The new service provides users with "on the move" access to all the important traffic-related information
they currently receive at their desktop via the Traffic Scotland website. In addition the new mobile service
provides innovative “location aware” features such as 'What’s near me?'. This feature presents the user with
information on Incidents, Roadworks, Traffic Cameras, Events and Journey Times close to their current location.
This is achieved using geolocation technologies (e.g. GPS) provided as standard by many smartphone devices.
Although the new service can be accessed on the latest smartphone devices and has been developed to utilise
some of the advanced features they support, the basic content and functionality are still accessible on older
generation mobile devices (e.g. internet enabled mobile phone handsets). This progressive enhancement strategy
ensures the service is accessible from the largest number of mobile devices as possible.
By making travellers “on the move” aware of current road network conditions and the options available to alter
their travel mode or route choice, the mobile service is expected to support management of demand on the strategic
road network and support modal shift by making it easier for road users to find and use relevant public transport
information. Transport Scotland recognises that alternative route guidance is more beneficial if the information
is available “on-trip” rather than pre-trip, as this allows travellers to optimise their journey plan decisions
based on current road network conditions.
This initial release of the mobile service is just the start of our plans for mobile users; visit the website
regularly for news on future enhancements to the service.
The Traffic Scotland Mobile Site has recently been updated to include the following enhancements;
- Integration of bookmarking functionality that allows users to ‘bookmark’ live traffic cameras and route journey times so they can be accessed quickly in one location on the site
- Links to share Traffic Scotland content using social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook
- New Freight Scotland mobile service including information on Lorry Parking, Road Restrictions, Industrial Estates, Railheads, Ports, Airports and Freight News. This information can be enabled via the User Settings area of the mobile site
- The Ability to search for live traffic camera images by region or a user entered location
- Addition of park and ride site information from across Scotland
- A new Campaigns section providing details of traffic and travel related campaigns
- Provision of a Travel Information Links section providing links to traffic and travel related mobile websites and applications.