Radio station introduces real time traffic report

| 27/10/2009

(CNS): Many Caymanians probably never thought that the day would come when drivers on the island would need to tune in to a traffic report to avoid jams and snarl ups. However, as the number of cars on Grand Cayman increases year on year, despite the recession, traffic woes are becoming part of everyday life and one local radio satiation has introduced a real time traffic bulletin which is broadcast twice daily from Monday to Friday during the islands’ commute.

The “dms Real-Time Traffic” report is being broadcast during Cayman’s rush hours of 7:15 to 8:45 AM and 4:30 to 6:00pm on all of dms’ stations. Brad West and Matthew Brown are providing the current traffic information to help listeners behind the wheel find the easiest ride to work or home using state-of-the-art surveillance cameras that are operated by Aviation Communications Ltd.

“We have six cameras installed to cover key traffic locations on the island,” said CEO of Aviation Communications, Errol Kellyman who noted that dms was in a position to update Cayman commuters with up-to-the-minute traffic information because of its wide audience.  “We are pleased by the positive response this is already providing to the community and we hope to eventually offer this to various agencies including police, fire and emergency services.”

There are presently traffic cameras by the airport, Eastern Avenue, the Shedden Road and North Sound Road intersection, the Smith Road and Crewe Road intersection as well as a special moveable camera that covers locations from North Sound Road to the Esterley Tibbetts bypass

While Cayman’s traffic woes don’t yet warrant a helicopter or flying eye camera on a fixed wing aircraft common  now in major cities around the world Kellyman said additional cameras will be installed in the near future, in order to provide more coverage on West Bay Road and within the Tropical Gardens area.

Matt Brown dms’ traffic correspondent said he knows how much navigating the snarl ups and jams can help.  “As a young Caymanian in the workforce, I have learned to appreciate how much those few extra minutes can help out during a hectic morning, and being in the know about traffic delays and accidents on the roads is just another way dms Broadcasting seeks to help out the community. I am proud to be able to lend a hand by pointing out the traffic hot spots on-air and I encourage everyone to tune in for these useful updates,” he added.

Operations Manager Ben Maxwell said dms Broadcasting was constantly seeking new services for listeners and hoped this would make the ride to and from work a little easier.  “Keep your dials tuned to your favourite dms Broadcasting station for ‘dms Real-Time Traffic’ and other upcoming events,” Maxwell added.

 

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  1. Dean HATE THE NAME Nelson says:

    Pardon me for being doom and gloom I live in Bodden Town what is my trafic report going to be, bearing in mind we only have one way in and one way out.

    "Quote"

    Trafic is heavy going up by Lions centre so I would suggest that you pull off by Country and Western Bar and Grill for an hour or two try sucking on a beer if that is not your thing  then pull in by the Baptist Church or Red Bay Church and pray that the traffic will ease up, if your kids are in the car with you then pull off at the next beach access and play with your kids in the sand build an island castle,  untill tommorrow this is your eye in the sky signing off.

    what the hell is wrong with these people, are you crazy, get a life and find something constructive to do (real time traffic report) XXXXX.

  2. Big Brother says:

    Who approved this invasion of privacy?

  3. Anonymous says:

    I too have to agree with previous posters – this is really a pointless investment on dms’ part as there are few alternate routes and in cases where they exist, inevitably, they all start from or lead to the same spot. It’s also of little help to just announce "leave early, there’s a pile up" – if there’s already a pile up, snarl, fender bender, etc., your sudden exit from home won’t undo it and you’ll be stuck in traffic anyway.

    Since dms wants to help the community, maybe they should consider renaming their ‘WTF’ story on Hot FM. Highly inappropriate name, don’t you think? Then we wonder where we’ve gone wrong.

  4. Report says:

    Maybe they can warn us as to who is on the road too.  Like the woman in the green Rav 4 who went 270 degrees around the roundabout next to the Fidelity Building while on her phone without indicating yesterday lunchtime – please warn us when someone as stupid and selfish as her is on the roads.  Now that would be a great service.

  5. Joe Average says:

    Traffic is heavy coming out of East End.

    Traffic is slow in Savanna.

    Traffic is backed up in Red Bay.

    Traffic is at a standstill from Hurley’s to the airport.

    Traffic is fierce coming out of West Bay.

    Traffic is gimongous on West Bay Rd.

    Traffic is bumper to bumper on all bypasses.

    Take alternate routes.

    That’s tomorrow’s traffic.  My bill is in the mail.

  6. Anonymous says:

    It would be great if they were set up as web cams so that we can waste some time watching the traffic from the comfort of our computer. 

    How about it DMS??

  7. Joe Average says:

    I’m going to take an "alternate" route????  Like what???  Jet ski???

    What should be provided are movie screens and therapists.

  8. Caymanluvr says:

    You guys should get a helicopter!  BAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

  9. Anonymous says:

    Damn good idea.  I often hear a traffic report on the radio coming home and find it extremely useful, particularly when there is a build-up of traffic after an accident – gives you the opportunity to take a different route and avoid delays.

  10. Anonymous says:

    I must say i did have a good laugh when i first heard this traffic report – for most people I would say that there is only one (maybe 2) routes between home and work so whatever is happening traffic wise is inconsequential. Unless there is an accident I’m quite sure I could do this traffic report from my living room – the same areas are congested at the same times every day.

    It is worth a listen for the occasional gem such as the one I heard the other day: "stay tuned because the traffic will either get better or get worse"