Frequent travellers help Viasuisse

Through the connection to new sources of traffic information technical progress is rapid: Webcams, sensors and traffic flow data are standard today. However it is often the traffic jam reporters who first register an obstruction and can also give details of how the situation looks on the spot.

The majority of traffic jam reporters are on Swiss roads daily. Many travel right across the country, others are often on the road in the same region. They come from all parts of Switzerland, work in different branches, also as chimney sweeps or drivers and some have been involved for many years like for instance Patrick Guggenbühl, professional driver from Glattbrugg: «I have been a traffic jam reporter for at least 10 years and actually I make a report every day.»

What motivates Traffic jam reporters?
To help other travellers and to improve the quality of traffic reports are the most frequently quoted reasons why traffic jam reporters pick up the telephone. This is also how Willy Peter, chimney sweep in the Zürich wine region sees it: “With my reports I help others to save time. They can alter their plans, choose another route or leave later to avoid being stuck in a jam.” Naturally you benefit yourself from the reports of other traffic jam reporters. To the question whether you alter your travel plans on hearing a traffic report affecting the intended journey, the Traffic Jam reporter gives a clear “Yes”.

How traffic jam reporters attract new reporters
To encourage friends and colleagues to participate, traffic jam reporters always quote the benefits which this involvement brings. The more information the Traffic Centre receive, the more exact the reports will be. This helps all travellers. This is confirmed by Arno Zoppi, Import-Export specialist from the Ticino: “It is not just for yourself, but also for the others.” And Oliver Dubach, traffic service employee in Zofingen, is convinced: “The Traffic News Centre can only improve, if there are more traffic jam reporters.”

A good partnership
The Traffic jam reporters appreciate the collaboration with the Traffic Centres in Biel and Dielsdorf. In the meantime, many know one another personally and are on first-name terms. “The collaborators are very friendly! I like to ring up there”, says Jeannette Delfini, doctor’s secretary and also from the Ticino. In reverse, the colleagues from the Traffic Centres know they can rely on the accuracy of the information. Their confidence in longstanding Traffic Jam reporters is great.

From the beginning of this year the Traffic Centres in Biel and Dielsdorf have been equipped with a new Call-centre solution. This way the distribution and reception of Traffic Jam reporter calls is even more efficient. The Viasuisse partner radios also refer more frequently to their number for making traffic jam reports. This way they want to motivate radio listeners to make an active contribution to the Traffic Reports on “their” station.

Are you also a regularly travelling on the Swiss road network? We would be pleased to count you also as one of our Traffic Jam reporters!

Become a traffic jam reporter!