Software offering live traffic updates to help road users plan their journeys and avoid accidents could soon be rolled out across Bahrain.

Microsoft is currently in talks with traffic authorities to introduce the system, as part of the company's "CityNext" smart cities initiative, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

"We have had meetings with traffic officials to introduce this new concept, which will allow people to receive instant traffic updates," said Microsoft's mobility solutions manager for the Gulf Ahmed Mansour yesterday, on the sidelines of the Bahrain IT Expo 2015 at Bahrain International Circuit.

"A user has to download the software to enable this service and they can have access to live maps and traffic updates."

Mansour said the project was similar to ones that had already been introduced in Dubai, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait and predicted that it might be available here by next year.

"We feel this service will help people plan their journey and know ahead of time about accidents, so they can take alternative routes to reach their destination," he said.

"The plan is to launch it by next year, but we need to work on several details including how far we can allow public access to traffic cameras."

Another service currently in the works would allow motorists to report traffic accidents using their mobile phones.

"The driver can use a special mobile app through which they will feed their location and details of their vehicle," said Mansour.

"They can fill in the forms online and register a complaint and even immediately report the damage to their insurance company."

Both pieces of software are in line with eGovernment Authority chief executive Mohammed Ali Al Qaed's announcement on Monday that Bahrain was moving towards the creation of "smart cities", revolutionising the way people lived their lives.

Such technology can be used in transport, utilities, healthcare, retail and homes, he said.

The Bahrain IT Expo is part of the Bahrain International eGovernment Forum 2015 held under the patronage of Deputy Premier Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, Chairman of the Supreme Committee for Information and Communication Technology.

There were eight specialised workshops held yesterday that will continue today on topics such as the use of social media and how to build defensible critical information infrastructure.

An expert from Hungary-based Quadron System gave a talk on the rise in malicious computer viruses while a group of students from Creativity Private School showcased their four-wheel robots styled after a forklift.

The exhibition ends today (March 18). - TradeArabia News Service