Supermarkets in Essex could soon stock groceries, cleaning products, and bang-up-to-date information about the county's traffic system.
Screens showing congestion hot-spots, alternative routes home and the current whereabouts of buses and trains are being planned.
They could be set up in supermarkets as part of Essex County Council's bid to beat congestion.
In the summer, the county council will be launching its new £500,000 traffic centre, which will be the central point for all information about Essex traffic flow.
But in the future, the county council is looking at ways of making sure all available information about traffic can be passed on to those who need it most - the motorists.
Rodney Bass, highways cabinet member at the county council, said: "We are looking at how we can extend information using screens to places such as supermarkets or through giant motorway-style screens on major roads like the A12. We can also use cameras on roads to tell us how things are.
"The idea is to give drivers the information they need to make their decisions and to give them alternatives to using congested routes.
"With new technology all things are becoming increasingly possible. "
Published Friday April 9, 2004
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