Beat traffic with mobile app

Beat traffic with mobile app that helps commuters avoid jams, provides alternate routes, info on accident sites. Sneha Mahale reports.

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Mumbaikars who brave traffic jams, energy-sapping commutes and road indiscipline daily, have just received a helping hand from unexpected quarters; at least in the initial two categories. While not much can be done about the city drivers' lack of skills, a new mobile application hopes to make rush hours a tad bit easier. By providing information on jammed routes, constant and real-time updates about roads to avoid and getting the community involved in reporting about accidents and construction sites, Sabka Traffic works on making travel easier while on the go.

"Studies show that on an average, 25 minutes are wasted in traffic every day. This equates to a year of lost time in a lifetime. And traffic congestion is expected to increase by 400 per cent in the next 20 years. We saw an opportunity to address this situation by leveraging technology to solve this problem in a cost effective manner," says Tapan Seth of Sabka Traffic, adding that the team consists of people who have strong roots in Mumbai. The service is currently available in Ahmedabad, Pune, Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Chandigarh, Hyderabad and Mumbai.

The app is free, just install it and you are ready to consume and contribute. The focus is also on getting users to proactively get involved in traffic reporting. "We provide real-time information on incident reporting and routing. Soon traffic forecasting and local deals and listings will also be available," says Seth, whose app updates information every four minutes.

The app is currently compatible with Android, Blackberry OS 5 & 6, Windows 7.x and iPhone (coming soon). You could also access traffic updates through the website, on Twitter and on its Facebook page. "On the social networks we currently provide real-time information on traffic incidents and alerts about highly congested areas. This information is displayed on dedicated Twitter feeds, which are then streamed onto Facebook."

To The Test

Route chosen: Mahim to Santa Cruz (W). The app immediately highlighted the routes according to colour codes. Areas with lesser traffic were green, while the ones to be avoided were red. A huge traffic snarl was marked at the junction near Bandra station. No construction activity and accidents reported. We worked around the routes provided to us and reached sooner. Eureka, it works!