TravelSafely app launched in Charlotte to improve traffic safety

By STACI REAFSNYDER | The Municipal

The city of Charlotte, N.C., has launched a new pilot program app geared toward improving traffic safety within the city: the TravelSafely app. The app was launched on Nov. 10, 2022, by Charlotte Department of Transportation as a pilot project for the South End neighborhood of the city.

“The new app is designed to improve safety for motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists by connecting users to a network of intersection and crosswalk data, as well as to each other,” Charlotte’s website, charlottenc.gov, states.

According to the TravelSafely website, travelsafely.com, the app uses cutting-edge technology to connect cellphones to a network of traffic intersections, school beacons, motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.

“The app uses audible warnings to alert you to potentially dangerous road conditions. By utilizing spoken alerts, TravelSafely allows you to focus on the road and receive alerts while using your favorite mapping app,” travelsafely.com states.

The TravelSafely app is designed for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists to improve traffic, as well as connect its users to a database of intersections and crosswalk data. The app has many features to notify motorists of traffic issues. For example, motorists will be notified when a light is about to turn green at an intersection, as well as be warned of an approaching red light. The app will also notify motorists if they are traveling too fast in the designated speed zone and also warn motorists if a cyclist or pedestrian is nearby; of course, the cyclist or pedestrian will need to be using the app, too. Other warnings include sharp curves ahead, the potential for rear-end collisions and approaching emergency vehicles.

“The app is part of the city’s Vision Zero safety initiative that seeks to eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries. All information shared on the app is anonymous and protected,” the city website states.

Vision Zero was originally started in Sweden in 1997. The goal of Vision Zero is to eliminate all traffic-related deaths and severe injuries, while increasing safety, health and mobility for all.

“Over the past 10 years our city has seen explosive population growth, adding close to 200,000 more drivers, pedestrians and cyclists to our streets, paths and intersections,” the city website states. “Charlotte has responded by creating a variety of safe ways for people to move around the city and connect with each other we’ve upgraded intersections, added more bike lanes and built additional sidewalks as we continue to work towards the best possible transportation and pedestrian safety systems for our growing city.”

Vision Zero was implemented in Charlotte in 2018, with a plan to reduce crashes and to eliminate severe injuries and trafficrelated deaths. Charlotte states even one traffic-related death is too many. The guiding principles of Vision Zero state that traffic deaths and severe injuries are preventable and that protecting human lives takes priority over all other objectives of the road system.

“The transportation system should be designed so mistakes are not fatal,” Charlottes’s website states. “Solutions must be collaborative, equitable and data-driven. Safety on our streets is everyone’s responsibility. Our community is accountable for implementing the Vision Zero Action plan, measuring performance and responding accordingly.”

The app is just one tool toward Charlotte’s goal of Vision Zero. In its “Vision Zero 2020 Highlights Report,” the city notes its construction of protected bike lanes on The Plaza from Central to Parkwood, the installation of a Fifth and Sixth streets cycle track, speed limit reductions in areas where traffic calming was requested and lighting improvements in other areas along the high injury network. Throughout all these steps, Charlotte has maintained a high social media presence to promote Vision Zero and raise awareness for traffic safety.

According to the city website, the use of the TravelSafely app provides supplemental information to enhance driving decisions while following the rules of the road. All travelers using the app still need to remain alert

Charlotte is piloting the TravelSafely app to help achieve its Vision Zero goal, which would bring traffic fatalities to zero. One aspect of the app is to warn motorists of nearby bicyclists. (Toa55/Shutterstock.com) and mindful of all responsibilities as a motorist, pedestrian or cyclist, but it is designed to aid in the safety of all travelers. The Charlotte Metro Police Department will use injury and fatal crash data to conduct targeted enforcement throughout the city on speeding, seatbelt usage, distracted driving and driving while impaired.

Publicinput.com, the website collecting public feedback and data on the TravelSafely pilot program, says the goal of the program is to encourage residents to download the app and use it within the designated area of the South End. To do this, an information campaign is underway to show the public of the benefits of TravelSafely usage.

The app is available for both Android and iOS devices to encourage use across all users. The pilot program will conclude in November 2023. Upon completion of the program, the CDOT will evaluate before-and-after crash data to determine the effectiveness of the app.