Calgary, AB,
21
January
2014
|
13:35
America/Denver

Travel time signs going live on Crowchild Trail and Glenmore Trail

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 21, 2014 – Calgary, AB

Calgary commuters will now have access to real-time travel information along Crowchild Trail and Glenmore Trail during their morning and afternoon commutes.

Five new portable signs will be activated this afternoon, and will provide travel time estimates to key routes, allowing drivers to make informed route planning choices while they’re on the go.

“Our goal is to deliver accurate information about delays and travel times directly to drivers during their commute,” says Sameer Patil, Traffic Leader at The City of Calgary’s Traffic Management Centre (TMC). “With these signs, drivers will be able to make informed decisions about which routes to take, ultimately reducing congestion and decreasing driver frustration.”

This innovative technology collects publicly available Bluetooth information from mobile devices, and uses it to calculate approximate travel times on various routes. The travel times are then displayed on signs along the roadway. Travel times are updated as often as once a minute, but are dependent on the number of Bluetooth-enabled devices present at any given time.

Sign locations:

  • Westbound Glenmore Trail at 18 Street S.E. – showing travel times to Crowchild Trail and Bow Trail
  • Eastbound Glenmore Trail before Crowchild Trail – showing travel times to Deerfoot Trail and 24 Avenue N.W.
  • Southbound Crowchild Trail at 24 Avenue N.W. – showing travel times to 17 Avenue South and Glenmore Trail
  • Southbound Crowchild Trail at Richard Road– showing travel times to Glenmore Trail and Deerfoot Trail.
  • Northbound Crowchild Trail and 54 Avenue S.W. -  showing travel times to Memorial  Drive and 24 Avenue N.W.

The new system will be operational Monday to Friday, during the morning and afternoon rush hours (6:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.).

Bluetooth travel time technology was first piloted along Deerfoot Trail in 2010. The program was successful and well-received by drivers, and is now installed permanently along the freeway.