CARY WELCOMES WINK TO THE WEB FOR REAL-TIME TRAFFIC INFORMATION AROUND THE CLOCK

Travelers can view traffic cameras online, access vital traffic info. before leaving home or work

CARY, NC – As part of its continuing commitment to creating innovative technological solutions to meet the needs of citizens, the Town of Cary has launched the “wink-Cary Traffic Info” Web site at wink.townofcary.org that links motorists to real-time traffic conditions in Cary 24 hours a day; the new interactive Web site delivers reliable, timely and accurate information for area motorists.   With just a few clicks, users can access a bird’s eye view of traffic cameras at key intersections in Cary and retrieve up-to-the-minute information on incidents that could affect travel in Cary .

Immediately after clicking on the wink link, users can view traffic information through four easy-to-read formats including: the traffic map, map tools, the navigation bar and the alerts window.  With the traffic map, users can access traffic information at a glance on a map of Cary .  To further customize their wink experience, users can choose from six map tools to instantly display icons representing incidents, construction, special events, cameras, flows and DMS (dynamic message signs).  The navigation bar on the left side of the map enables users to go to the map’s default setting, view current construction projects, incidents and special events or find out what traffic impacts are coming soon.  Lastly, the alerts window continuously displays timely traffic alerts at the top of the page to help on-the-go motorists better plan their travels.

“We are pleased to offer this modern resource for more predictable and reliable commutes in and around Cary ,” said Traffic Engineering Manager Lori Cove.  “Wink Web is just one of the ways we are creating innovative solutions to help promote a better quality of life for our citizens.”  Since September 2006, Cary citizens have been tuning in to the Town’s government access channel -- Cary TV 11 -- Monday through Friday to view live wink traffic cameras during wink weekday rush hour programming blocks: 6-9 a.m. and 4-6 p.m.

Wink web and wink tv are two components of the Town’s Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS), which includes 23 traffic cameras, 80 miles of fiber optic cable, 150 state-of-the-art traffic signal controllers to help shorten commute times, and 12 dynamic message signs to warn motorists of accidents or congested areas. 

Traffic cameras used to display wink images are monitored by Town staff in the Town’s Traffic Management Center (TMC) at Town Hall via a dozen television monitors.  With the flick of a switch, engineers fine-tune signal timing and react to traffic incidents more efficiently.  Also, they can maneuver the cameras in a circular motion or zoom into specific areas in order to better identify any traffic issues.  A similar center is also located at the Town’s Public Works and Utilities operations center, where crews monitor the system for any maintenance issues, such as burned-out lights or signals on flash.

The cost to develop wink web is approximately $70,000 of the $12 million total cost of the Advanced Traffic Management System.

Wink is not an acronym.

For more on wink, visit Advanced Traffic Management System at www.townofcary.org.  For more about Cary TV, click on the splash page icon at www.townofcary.org.

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