TrafficCast International has announced the addition of Covid-19 test locations to its standard data feed of traffic impact reports. Over 8,500 locations across the US and Canada are currently included, to alert drivers of possible traffic impacts of testing sites.
The information does not communicate availability of testing appointments and related medical information, but it does explain possible traffic impacts on relevant public roadways. These include coordinated police activity to control vehicles entering or driving near the sites, street closures and temporary one-way restrictions.
Locations are gathered from state and local transportation agencies, health care providers, media sources, national pharmacy chains and trusted websites managed by medical professionals at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore and an open source ‘Coders against Covid’ alliance in Silicon Valley.
TrafficCast clients integrating Covid test site locations in automotive navigation services and mobile applications include SiriusXM and Total Traffic & Weather Network.
“SiriusXM has long supported its automotive clients and subscribers with advanced traffic information,” says Naresh Coppisetti, vice president, Connected Vehicle & Automotive Infotainment Service. “During this challenging time when consumers desire additional information relating to Covid-19, it only makes sense to include these test site locations for dashboard display and routing information.”
“Traffic reporting has taken on new urgency as states begin to reopen and Covid testing remains a priority,” says Len Konecny, senior vice president of Total Traffic & Weather Network. “These testing locations are a natural addition to the information commuters rely on through our broadcast reports, Total Traffic mobile app, and automotive services.”
