New device updates building occupants on traffic situation

Users provide the TV and Wi-Fi network and GoMetro provides a small HDMI device that connects to the GoMetro information service.

The Traffic Screen is intended to show building users how bad traffic is in the immediate vicinity, so that they reconsider undertaking their journey now or consider using a different mode of transport to accomplish the journey. Very often, public transport, using a separate way, is as fast as a private car in traffic conditions, but users have not considered it as a viable option due to their in-born car bias. Certainly, the Gautrain will usually beat a car travelling from Pretoria to Johannesburg in peak hour traffic.

The content includes road speed, incidents in the area, queue lengths and other traffic data it collects around the building. The size and scale of the city around the site will determine the traffic view applicable, whether it is local only or also encompasses the greater urban area. Real-time travel times to nearby popular destinations in the city can also be shown at the fringes of the screen to provide more information to aid travel decisions.

Utilisation can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by reducing car usage. The TV shows exactly how much carbon dioxide (CO2) a particular trip will consume. Therefore, it will make drivers think twice about using their own cars when they realise that they produce up to two tonnes of CO2 a year. It also provides additional information services such as weather updates, news headlines, stock performance, sports headlines and users can add their own corporate content - all through an easy-to-use web interface.

The screen also shows the nearest Uber locations and compares the private use with a ride-sharing option. It cycles through various major destinations in the area and shows viewers how long it will take to get to each destination by car, by cab and by public transport.

Companies can place their own brand on the TV and show their guests that they take sustainable transport seriously.