Drivers are always searching for the fastest route. This at times leads to the clogging of roads and too many drivers on one road with the aim of beating the traffic. Ma3ROUTE is an innovative Android Application that works to help you beat the crazy Nairobi traffic as well as get information on traffic hotspots. This happens through receiving traffic updates, incident and accident reports from other MA3ROUTE users.
WHAT IS MA3ROUTE?
Ma3ROUTE home
MA3 ROUTE is an integrated trafficking application that uses traffic mapping and incident reporting to provide traffic information on the roads of Nairobi. Drivers can thereafter find the most optimal route based on that information. Nairobi Traffic is labeled as one of the worst in the world. Traffic information can be received in several modules which are via SMS, WEB and through their android application. The information is not only real time but also Coded which makes it easy to use. The codes used are Moderate, Clear, Bumper to Bumper, poor visibility and Impassable which alerts the user on which routes to use and which ones to avoid.
FEATURES
COMMUNITY AND FEEDS
The application has a “community” where users are able to share traffic updates in real time and a feed is created on social networking sites and this informs the user of traffic hotspots and they are aware of the traffic situations. There are several traffic applications that I have used such as K-TRAFFIC, RUSH HOUR but THIS FEATURE sets Ma3ROUTE apart. The ability to convert the traffic information into a feed with codes makes it not only reliable but also clear cut. I hope soon we shall have a group in the “community” where I can interact with other commuters in my area.
MA3ROUTE Traffic codes
TRAFFIC MAPPING
Through Traffic mapping, the application can be able to correctly predict which roads will have a lot of traffic and at what time. This is particularly important to the user who doesn’t have time to search through the feeds to find the information. In fact as one buckles their seat belts before igniting the car, they can receive SMS updates from MA3ROUTE and decide which route is best to use.
OTHERS
Other core additional features that the application has included; directions to various places, reporting of traffic incidents and accidents, news and stories as well as FAQs on roads and traffic from around the world which are delivered through the application and website provide a forum for one to learn more.
The “Mulika Dere” function, enables one to report incidents of bad driving.
THE DEVELOPER
Laban Okune of Nasoft Technologies
THE GOOD
The Application is reliable, integrated, simple to use and all in all a trend setter as far as traffic updates are concerned.
The Bad
The aesthetics. The developer worked towards making it simple and integrated at the same time. However, Great Application right there.
FUTURE
Ma3route has great potential. Road users are already embracing it majorly due to its credible information and it is already at use by media houses to report traffic around Nairobi. I see new frontiers for Ma3route being used to find taxis nearby where the driver can directly interact with the client on the other end. Seamless integration with car system to offer both directions and traffic updates, Creation of SOS feeds where in case on an incident I can alert roadside rescues through the application. I am also looking forward to Ma3route widget for my desktop. Perhaps a scoreboard for the users who dutifully use the application to update on road situations. Probably Ma3Route will evolve into a traffic location sharing app more like traffic foursquare?
Rating
8.5/10.
Resources
Website: http://www.ma3route.com/
Twitter: @ma3route
Download : https://play.google.com/store/apps/Ma3route
Eric Wainaina Online 