KNOXVILLE, Tenn., June 26 /PRNewswire/ -- WTNZ FOX 43 in Knoxville, Tennessee, has launched a free mobile traffic camera service for area residents and commuters.
The advertising supported service, named Fox 43 Traffic Tracker, is powered by Mobileyes software and targets the thousands of daily commuters in the region who will now be able to view traffic tie-ups on their mobile devices before leaving their home, office or school.
"This service offers Tennessee commuters a hand in planning the quickest, most fuel-efficient and safest routes, wherever they're heading," said John Hayes, vice president and general manager of WTNZ-TV, Raycom Media, Tennessee. "This service further demonstrates that we have something for everyone."
The Fox 43 Traffic Tracker relies on over 65 traffic cameras operated by TDOT SmartWay, the state's traffic management system. The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) designed SmartWay to use advanced information technologies in order to improve the safety and operation of highways and other transportation modes, such as public transit.
"The Tennessee Department of Transportation is excited to develop an enhanced partnership with WTNZ and 3rd Dimension to offer live streaming video to the drivers of Tennessee," said Travis Brickey, communications & community relations officer. "This partnership provides not only enhanced services to Tennessee commuters, but it shows our comprehensive camera network has great potential."
The Mobileyes software platform has been developed by 3rd Dimension, Inc., a New York-based mobile marketing and technology company.
"Mobile technology is pushed to the limit everyday with new advances. Hand held devices are becoming an important part of our culture and grow increasingly powerful and personal," said Eric Joseph, president, 3rd Dimension. "The 3rd Dimension Mobileyes application supports that trend in providing a value-added service to consumers whenever they need it."
The Fox 43 Traffic Tracker application is compatible with data enabled phones on the Sprint, Verizon Wireless, AT&T and T-Mobile networks, and including popular smart phones such as the BlackBerry, Palm Treo and the Motorola Q.
To download the video application, commuters have the option to call 866-59FOX43 (866-593-6943) from their cell phone, go to the www.wtnzfox43.com website and request the service by entering their mobile phone number.
Once the application is downloaded, drivers can choose to view real-time traffic images from any of the cameras along their route and can even program keys on their phone to quickly access their favorites.
Tennessee is the fifth market in the country to launch the innovative mobile traffic service. The first was launched in early 2007 in collaboration with WCBS Newsradio 880 in New York City. The second market, Houston, went live in December 2007 followed by Indianapolis and Kansas City in March 2008. 3rd Dimension plans to roll out additional markets across the country in 2008 with the goal of creating a national mobile advertising network.
About Raycom Media Inc.
Raycom, an employee-owned company, is one of the nation's largest broadcasters and owns and operates 46 television stations in 18 states. Raycom stations cover more than 12 percent of U.S. television households and employ 3,760 individuals in full and part-time positions. In addition to television stations, Raycom owns Raycom Sports (a marketing, production and events management and distribution company in Charlotte); Raycom Post (a post production facility in Burbank, California), Broadview Media (a post production/telecommunications company based in Montgomery), and CableVantage (a cable advertising sales group based in Columbia, South Carolina).
About TDOT SmartWay
TDOT SmartWay is Tennessee's intelligent transportation system, which uses advanced information technologies to improve the safety and operation of highways and other transportation modes, such as public transit. There are several components of SmartWay. TDOT makes SmartWay information available to travelers in Tennessee by calling 511 from your telephone.
About 3rd Dimension, Inc.
3rd Dimension (www.3rdDimensionTech.com) is a mobile marketing and application company that creates and distributes innovative real-time video content to consumers through their mobile devices. Its mobile applications are designed to attract targeted niche audiences making its solutions attractive to advertisers and marketers.
All trade names are the property of their respective owners.
This release is available on the KCSA Worldwide Web site at www.kcsa.com.
CONTACT: Noah Milman / Rob Manfredo
KCSA Strategic Communications
(212) 896-1217 / (212) 896-1213
nmilman@kcsa.com / rmanfredo@kcsa.com
John Hayes
VP/General Manager-Fox 43
(865) 693-4343
jehayes@wtnzfox43.com