On January 19, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport launched a mobile application and a website to give users real-time traffic updates around the city.
According to Tuoi Tre, anyone with internet access can get these traffic updates at giaothong.hochiminhcity.gov.vn, while smartphone and tablet owners can download and use the app “TTGT Tp Hồ Chí Minh”.
Deputy Director Tran Quang Lam of the Department of Transport told the news source the digital traffic map is designed to give updates on traffic volume as well as the average speed of vehicles on a specific street, and warnings on congestion and construction. Based on data collected from 300 transport department-operated cameras as well as other sources, the map can also recommend alternative routes for users.
Moreover, users can search for information on weather, parking lots and restrooms in addition to sending reports on traffic infrastructure conditions and administrative procedures to the transport department, reports Tuoi Tre.
Lam added that the map will be upgraded regularly to serve Saigon residents.
In advance of the upcoming holiday, users will also be able to look up locations of local festivals, reports Tuoi Tre.
While iOS users haven’t given enough reviews for Apple to display an average for the current app version, Andoid users have rated it 3.9 out of five stars.
Meanwhile, the Hanoi traffic police unit just proposed a “one person, one car” policy to restrict the number of vehicles each resident can have to only one. Tuoi Tre reports in a separate article that the government has yet to respond to the proposal.
