The state is working to develop its own custom app to provide up-to-date information to drivers on Illinois roads.
Starting Jan. 1, the Illinois Department of Transportation will begin developing a mobile application to update travelers on traffic conditions such as accidents, roadworks, lane closures and weather. The app cost an estimated $2.515 million to develop and implement, with annual maintenance costs of approximately $775,000.
Senate Bill 1526, introduced in February by Sen. Laura Ellman, D-Naperville, and signed into law in June, requires the department to begin developing the app next year. The Senate passed the bill 53-4 in March, and the House passed it 69-40 in May.
The department’s “Move Illinois” webpage now allows visitors to view road construction maps, weather conditions and other travel advisories.
Highway engineers in west-central Illinois said the application could be useful if implemented in the right way.
Cass County Highway Engineer Timothy Eisnogle said he wasn’t aware of any app development beyond the department’s older app, but said the more information they can provide to travelers, the better.
“I just hope they don’t use it while driving,” Eisnogle said.
Greene County Highway Engineer Aaron Haverfield said it makes sense for the Department of Transportation to create its own app because “everyone is moving to apps.” He said navigation apps such as Google Maps and Apple Maps already provide traffic information to drivers on the road, so an app’s popularity will depend on how useful it is and how quickly it is updated. said.
“The biggest challenge is getting information to the public faster,” Haverfield said.