Tennessee Department of Transportation
TDOT’s SmartWay website now includes information from the Waze app.
The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) has teamed up with the navigation app Waze to share information and provide more real-time information on the app and the TDOT website.
Waze is a free, community-based traffic and navigation app. Drivers who use the app share real-time information.
TDOT will join the Waze Connected Citizen Program, which “provides an unprecedented look at real-time road activity, giving motorists the ability to change their routes, adjust their commute times, and avoid unnecessary delays,” according to a news statement.
“Waze is only as strong as the information it receives from its users,” said Paige Fitzgerald, Connected Citizens Program Manager at Waze. “The immense data TDOT can contribute on statewide road conditions, closures and traffic within the Waze app makes them a valued partner moving forward.”
Waze will also share its information with TDOT for its SmartWay website, which gives statewide traffic, accident, and road construction information. TDOT Commissioner John Schroer said the information sharing agreement with Waze will elevate the site’s accuracy and called it a “perfect partnership.”
“TDOT is always looking for ways we can provide motorists with information that can make their commutes safer and faster,” Schroer said in a statement. “By partnering with Waze, we’re doing just that.”
TDOT is also rolling out other upgrades to its SmartWay site. Users will now see more information on traffic incidents, lane blockages or full lane closures, and weather information that may affect transportation.
TDOT Sign Contest
TDOT also announced earlier this week the winners from its contest for the messages that will scroll on the message boards over the state’s interstates.
Nearly 3,000 messages were submitted and 3,700 votes were cast to choose among the top 15 messages. Here are the winners in order of total votes:
1. “Turn signals, the original instant messaging.”
2. “Get the cell off your phone and drive.”
3. “Practice safe text. Don’t do it while driving.”
4. “You’re in Tennessee. Volunteer to drive safe.”
5. “Ain’t nobody got time for a wreck. Slow it down.”
The messages will run on the overhead message boards in a rotation throughout the year.
“The purpose of the contest was to give the public a chance to partner with TDOT to raise safety awareness,” said TDOT Commissioner Schroer. “Even if a submission didn’t win, there’s still a chance that message may be seen periodically on our…boards.”
In 2012, TDOT became the first DOT in the nation to display roadway fatality numbers on the overhead signs. In addition to the fatality statistics, safety messages are displayed during off-peak travel times.
