[January 05, 2009]

NBC Bay Area Launches Mobile Camera Service

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- NBC Bay Area has launched the NBC Bay Area Traffic Cam, a free service for Bay Area Commuters to provide up-to-the-second, live traffic video on their mobile phones.

The application for mobile devices gives drivers access to live video from traffic cameras operated by the California Department of Transportation, better known as Caltrans. The service is provided by 3rd Dimension, Inc.'s Mobileyes platform and will assist the millions of Bay Area drivers in planning the safest and most efficient commutes. In addition, the NBC Bay Area Traffic Cam will offer users access to cameras as they head out to area ski slopes and beaches providing them with real-time traffic conditions for their leisure pursuits.

The service, which is advertising supported, is compatible with data enabled phones on the Sprint, Verizon Wireless, AT&T and T-Mobile networks; users can access the service on popular smart phones including the iPhone, BlackBerry, Palm and Motorola Q.

"The Bay Area is known for leading the way in technology and we're very happy to bring this latest innovation to help commuters," said Mike Inouye, NBC Bay Area Traffic Anchor. "NBC Bay Area Traffic Cam will allow commuters to steer clear of headaches on the highways before they hit the back-up."

Bay Area commuters wishing to try the service can download it from the NBC Bay Area website at http://www.nbcbayarea.com/mobile or by calling 877-622-2291. They can also visit 3rd Dimension's national website at http://www.3dmobileyes.com/.

Once installed, users can view roadside traffic cameras and avoid the snarls of traffic. Selecting cameras along the route from the menus is simple and user-friendly and favorite routes can be saved and accessed quickly with a push of a single button.

"The more information we can get to the driver, the better. An informed driver is a safe driver," said Randell Iwasaki, chief deputy director for the California Department of Transportation.

Eric Joseph, president and COO, 3rd Dimension said, "Nearly three quarters of all Bay Area commuters drive to work which translates into tens of thousands of commuters getting stuck on heavily traveled highways like the 101. The launch of the NBC Bay Area Traffic Cam will help drivers plan their routes better no matter where they are going into and out of the Bay Area."

In addition to the San Francisco market, the Mobileyes service is available in Hartford, Conn.; New York; Los Angeles; Kansas City; Houston; Knoxville; Indianapolis; Detroit; and Washington, D.C.

About NBC Bay Area:
NBC Bay Area is owned by NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. NBC Bay Area gives viewers control, choice and convenience by providing the latest news and programming online and on-air. Dedicated to serving the communities in our viewing area, NBC Bay Area supports more than 100 community events throughout the Bay area each year.

About California Department of Transportation:
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) manages more than 45,000 miles of California's highway and freeway lanes, provides inter-city rail services, permits more than 400 public-use airports and special-use hospital heliports, and works with local agencies. Caltrans carries out its mission of improving mobility across California with six primary programs: Aeronautics, Highway Transportation, Mass Transportation, Transportation Planning, Administration and the Equipment Service Center.

The Department has been active in moving the people and commerce of California for more than 100 years from a loosely connected web of footpaths and rutted wagon routes to the sophisticated system that today serves the transportation needs of more than 30 million residents.

About 3rd Dimension, Inc.
3rd Dimension (http://www.3dmobileyes.com/) is a mobile marketing and application company that has created and distributes Mobileyes, an innovative, real-time video content delivery platform for consumers via their mobile devices. Its applications are designed to attract targeted audience making its solutions attractive to advertisers and marketers.

All trade names are the property of their respective owners.
Editor's Note: Images of NBC Bay Area Traffic Cam are available upon request.
3rd Dimension, Inc.

CONTACT: Meredith Smith, NBC Bay Area, +1-408-432-4318,meredith.smith1@nbcuni.com, or Christa Conte, +1-212-808-4902,christa_conte@yahoo.com, or Henry Feintuch, +1-212-808-4901,hpfeintuch@gmail.com, both of Feintuch Communications

Web Site: http://www.3dmobileyes.com/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]

Discussions: