The City of Edmonton unveiled a new app Monday that councillors say they hope will pave the way to a safer and less frustrating commute for drivers who deal with congested roads on a daily basis.
Coun. Dave Loken and Coun. Bev Esslinger unveiled the Edmonton SmartTravel App at city hall Monday afternoon and showed how it provides verbal safety alerts for drivers as they commute through Alberta’s capital.
“Have you ever wished someone would remind you of a speed limit change?” Loken said in a statement. “This free Edmonton SmartTravel app gives drivers verbal warnings that can save them from getting tickets. A high-collision-location warning may save you from a crash.”
The app is also designed to provide drivers with verbal warnings about school zones, weather-related hazards and traffic disruptions while also providing drivers with access to a number of different maps highlighting traffic issues in real time.
“The Edmonton SmartTravel App is another way that the City of Edmonton makes getting around our city safer and easier,” Esslinger said in a statement. “The app contributes to Edmonton’s long-term goal of Vision Zero — zero traffic fatalities and serious injuries.”
The city says using the app does not contravene distracted driving rules because it is hands-free and that while it’s aimed at making trips simpler for drivers, the app shouldn’t let drivers become complacent about travelling safely.
The Edmonton SmartTravel App is free and available for download at iOS and Android app stores.
The app is a joint project of the University of Alberta Centre for Smart Transportation and the Office of Traffic Safety.
Watch below: On April 26, 2016, Emily Mertz previewed the forthcoming travel app aimed at making Edmonton’s city streets a little safer.