Hmmm.... interesting
So with new legislation about Cellphone use in cars just around the corner, the champion of traffic safety is about to start sending us Texts.... whilst we are in Traffic.

Luigi I appreciate your comments but still find it odd... primarily because its promoted as some kind of (almost) real time system, with the rider that you shouldn't use it in.... real time.
The reality is of course that traffic conditions over longer and well traveled routes, say from the East Coast Bays to the Airport (in Auckland), are neither constant nor consistent which is why there is a need for this sort of service. And there is a very real chance that traffic incidents may occur over this route at any time of the day... So to suggest that users should check 1/2 an hour before and ignore any en-route alerts may be legally correct, but is otherwise a little farcical??

However, as I've said it seems that it's a great service... pity I can't access it as am a VF customer.

I notice that you are also offering another Real Time traffic service thru some Navman Car Navs that will actually automatically re-route you thru any traffic events without user interaction. Surely that has to be the better option as it is less driver interactive and doesn't cross that line into phone use whilst driving. Well done.... but I'd have to get a car nav...

I wanted a way to check Auckland's motorways quickly and cheaply using my cellphone (only 2g) so produced a site to reformat the Transit ATOMS data to make it mobile friendly. I just wanted to see if the motorway was black (i.e. congested) then I'll stay at home for a bit until the traffic clears up. However I have seen the data not to match reality, that is the website reports congestion but infact the motorway is free flowing. The best feature is having access to the Overhead electronic signs on my mobile. This gives details of incidents which I know will be causing big delays.

If only we could get real time bus information on our mobiles.....

So I can't get txt alerts from the AA on my vodafone or 2degrees phone until next year. I guess its a bit of trial at the moment.

I note that Navman have bundled this service with their My series units. Anyone got any knowledge of TomTom units have a service offering that works in NZ?

Wheels, we supply TomTom's map data and are talking with them about supporting traffic. At this stage they have decided not to offer it. Hopefully at some stage they will make a commitment.

Ad, I appreciate your comments and hope you'll be patient with us. Building a real time traffic solution is a huge undertaking and includes support from many organisations and people to fine tune it into a solution that provides the best possible information. That includes support from AA Members and others. In reponse to:

Some of the information we put in comes from sources like NZ Police and NZTA and we have to use what they give us. Much of the information comes into our system automatically and is maintained by them. We are working closely with our many partners to analyse the usefulness of the information we are given and the amount of detail provided. Given that systems like this are very new, this requires a lot of work on our part and we have invested a lot financially and in the commitment of our people, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Constructive criticism is always welcome.

In relation to the timeliness of alerts, there are many factors involved in bringing information to our subscribers. For example, if there is an accident with injury or that could have further repurcussions, a natural process occurs. The incident is reported to the appropriate services by someone who is involved, has witnessed or come accross the incident. The emergency services send someone crew out to assess and deal with the situation. Once they have done this and ensured the continued safety of people involved and eliminated risk for others, they will then report back to their base. Only then do we get information, which can be some time after the event has occurred. Where we are informed from multiple sources our call centres often have the ability to get information up quickly. I appreciate that sometimes it can take some time for us to be able to provide up to date information, but 2 hours certainly sounds extreme. On the AA Traffic page, there is a feedback button where we encourage people to give us feedback and I would encourage you to do so.

I can't really respond to a specific incident without you telling me exactly what happened as there are many potential factors that could have come into play.

Whilst your initial experience may not have been perfect every time, but we are equally getting high praise from other subscribers who have been helped by our service, which has of course been free for most people to date.

I hope you'll reconsider continuing to try AA Traffic and remember that AA is an Incorporated Society which is trying to offer a quality service to its members for as little cost as possible.