Columbia County Traffic Engineering has partnered with Applied Information to design and implement a mobile application for motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians to help improve motor safety throughout the county. The mobile application is known as Glance TravelSafely Columbia County, and is available for a free download in the Apple and Google stores for iOS and Android.

Glance TravelSafely combines Smart City solutions with advances in Connected Vehicle technology to create a network of knowledge that makes roads safer. The app connects the user’s phone to a network of traffic signals, school beacons, motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians. Audible warnings are provided to alert motorists of a traffic signal ahead, school zones, and pedestrian crossings just to name a few. By utilizing spoken alerts, TravelSafely allows the driver to focus on the road and receive alerts while using their favorite mapping app.

For Phase 1 of the project, Columbia County connected TravelSafely to 16 traffic signals within Evans. Drivers are notified if they are approaching a red light or green light within the 16 signal area so that can prepare to stop or travel through the intersection safely with a green light ahead. In addition to the 16 signals, drivers can also be warned if they are approaching an active school zone throughout the county.

Traffic Engineering also uses this system to receive notifications of how well the signals are performing and assist with the upkeep and maintenance of each signal. The department is notified if a light is out, if the signal box becomes overheated, if the door is left open on a signal box, or if there is water inside the signal box that could potentially create a problem.

The goal is to expand the technology to all traffic signals within the county over the next two years. However, as new traffic signals come online or old ones are replaced with the new road construction projects, such as Flowing Wells Road, Furys Ferry Road, and Lewiston Roads, those traffic signals will be installed with the capability to communicate with TravelSafely. Other features will become available as the app is more widely used.