Drivers Can Learn about the Road Situation via Their Mobile Phones
Drivers who are setting off can learn about the situation on the national roads in real time via their mobile phones. This can be done via the free LIMA mobile application. It is for all mobile phones that have an Android, IOS, Windows Phone operating system, as well as for all personal computers and laptops with a web browser. The mobile application is available at lima.api.bg.
Until now around 150 thousand users have downloaded the application on their mobile phones and over 2 million people have visited the platform.
The software product is part of the measures undertaken by the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works and the Road Infrastructure Agency in order to provide more information to travelers and to increase road safety. In this way drivers have a direct, digitalized and automatic connection with the road administration.
When a citizen reports a problem or a road violation, the signal is immediately processed.
The system is entirely oriented towards travelers and for the first time the information about nearly 20 thousand kilometers of national roads will be provided via an interactive map. It reflects the real road situation and it will enable drivers of different motor vehicles to get information on the introduced traffic restrictions so they can flexibly plan and change their routes.
The information system has a number of functions – messages about changes in the road situation in real time, information about prohibitions, restrictions, recommended speed, bypass routes, etc. Drivers also have the opportunity to report road difficulties, accidents, etc.
Another essential advantage of the application is the ‘Safety Regime’ which, if it is activated, can save the life of the driver and their passengers. When it is activated, the mobile phone can report a road accident via the strong vibration and the sharp reduction of the speed. If the user does not respond to the automatic screen that is triggered after the accident, the application automatically reports to the Road Infrastructure Agency Situation Center that assistance is needed and it indicates the location of the road accident.
The intelligent information system LIMA was developed under a project of the Road Infrastructure Agency financed under the Operational Programme ‘Technical Assistance’.