Mobile traffic alerts reach the motor city

The Michigan Department of Transportation and Detroit television station MyFox2 have teamed up with mobile services firm 3rd Dimension to offer real time traffic alerts throughout the city.

The ad-supported application for mobile devices gives drivers access to more than 600 traffic cameras operated by the Michigan Department of Transportation.

“We’re hoping that we’ll be able to ease congestion and to relieve some of the gas use there,” said Eric Joseph, president and COO of 3rd Dimension.

MyFox2 will serve ads while directions and traffic reports load. No advertisers have signed on yet, so the network is using the platform to promote its own broadcast.

Users can download a free application at the MyFox2 Web site or at www.freetrafficcams.com and request the service by entering their mobile phone number. Once the application is downloaded, drivers can choose to view traffic images from any of the 600 cameras throughout the city. The service is compatible with data-enabled phones on Sprint, Verizon Wireless, AT&T and T-Mobile networks.

The 3rd Dimension mobile phone traffic service is already available in various cities across the nation including New York, Los Angeles, Kansas City and Houston.