Chennai police launches app for real-time traffic updates

To make driving in the city of Chennai comfortable and easy, the Greater Chennai Traffic Police has launched roadEase.

Inaugurated on Thursday, this android app will provide real time traffic updates, inform about the closure of roads and diversion of traffic. It will also provide estimated time of the journey and other routes available.

The Commissioner of Greater Chennai Police, Shankar Jiwal sharing details during the launch said: “Many times, we have to close a particular road one way or both ways for improving traffic flow, facilitate civil works like those of Chennai Metro Rail and storm-water drain or to deal with a temporary situation like an agitation. Whenever road closure and diversions are made, a Press note is issued and it is announced on social media. But these are not updated on Google Maps immediately and the road users are not aware of the information.”

On many occasions, sudden developments like an agitation or breakdown of a vehicle or a major accident, forces the closing of roads and traffic. Then there is no time to issue a Press note and road users may not view the announcement made on social media.

With a view to overcome these issues, the traffic police have collaborated with Lepton. Through the roadEase app, traffic policemen will report to the internal police team about major accidents, diversions and roadblocks. These will be communicated to the developers of the application who in turn will get the necessary changes made in the Google maps. Within 15 minutes the road which is closed will be visible dotted with red lines. It will also provide the best available alternative route.

A trial of this app was conducted for four days before its launch.