The Road-Smarts User Interface
The Road-Smarts UI is intuitive and designed to minimize keystrokes. The data that is presented is parsed and formatted specifically for small-screen, low-bandwidth devices using our proprietary technologies. Every byte must have a purpose or it is not transmitted across the network. It is our goal to make Road-Smarts the most efficient and effective service you will ever subscribe to.
The most important thing to remember when working with Road-Smarts is that it is simple. Very simple. Each self-explanatory menu choice takes you to either the next self-explanatory choice or to the data itself. (Did we say "Simple"?)
New data sources will always be added, some data sources will change. You may refresh a menu screen one sunny afternoon and find several new data sources to choose from. Do not be afraid. We are committed to providing you with the most current data available.
Some Terminology
Data Source - Refers to where we get the data such as Florida Highway Patrol dispatch, E911, etc.
Registration Key - A key that we send you so that you can complete the registration process from the device you will be using to access your new Road-Smarts.
Data Display - The traffic incident data, usually a list of roads or incidents per segment or incidents per area.
Incident - A single record that describes a single event such as "An accident on I-4 at MM (Mile Marker) 62"
Record - All information that relates to a single incident such as "Date/Time:", "Crossroad:", "Description:"
Navigating Road-Smarts
In order to select a choice use the "Select" or "Enter" key for your particular device. In order to navigate backward, use the "Back" or "Escape" key for your particular device.
Initial Login
The very first screen that you will encounter is the Road-Smarts Login form after you first subscribe to the Road-Smarts service. Usually you will only encounter this screen once. The very first time you use Road-Smarts, you will be required to login using the "User Name" that you defined when you registered, a "Password" and the "Registration Key" that has been mailed to you at your "Primary Email Address" or to your "Mobile Email Address" if you chose the option to have the key sent there.
The only other times that this Login Form will be presented will be if your particular device does not store cookies, or if it purges cookies after a defined period or after a week of inactivity. Then you will only have to enter your "User Name" and your "Password". The "Registration Key" will never have to be used again unless you allow your subscription to Road-Smarts expire.
Main Screen
With the Subscription v2.0 series (the one that you are currently using) the Main Screen contains two possible selections. "Local" and "Regions".
"Local" provides you with quick access to the traffic and road conditions in and around the "Local City" that you defined when you subscribed to Road-Smarts
"Regions" allows you to choose regions outside of your local area.
Choosing A Data Source
Choosing a Source may take you directly to a data display (usually a list of traffic incidents and relevant data) or to another sub-grouping such as a list of counties or road names.
Data Display
Data Example - Traffic Incident
Data Example - Closure Information
Every data source is unique in the way it stores data and the type of data it stores. We try to present all incidents in a similar fashion regardless of the way the data we retrieve comes in to us. Most traffic incidents include a date/time stamp which is usually associated with the initial reporting time, but could also be the actual call-out time of the agency that responds to the incident. We note this whenever possible.
We sort most data by the date/time stamp that comes with the record, however some data we receive actually has no time associated with it, so we might present it grouped by road or road segment or by city/town if necessary.
The bottom line here is that we try to make the data from the different data sources as consistent as possible while maintaining the integrity of the data, omitting the useless information that might otherwise clutter things up and organize it in such a way that it requires only a glance or two to get the information upon which to make critical route decisions.
More Assistance
- CONTACT US
If you need further assistance with using your Road-Smarts, you may write us a quick note with your question and we will be happy to respond, usually within 24 hours.