ItÕs often been said that if you ask Pittsburghers to give you directions from one place to another, theyÕll respond by taking you there.

For motorists across the state trying to navigate the often confusing and ever-changing detours caused by PennDot road construction projects, the State Department of Transportation went a step beyond that by taking them through the detour routes without actually having to get in their cars.

On www.epenndot.com, which has recorded 4.5 million visits to date, drivers-eye-view video clips of alternate detour routes around construction projects are among the many features recommended and developed by Savvior Technology Solutions (formerly Innovative Solutions, Inc.), based on PittsburghÕs North Side. Other features include printable maps and directions of the alternate routes, information and suggestions about where to park, and strategically placed, live-round-the-clock traffic cams that give drivers a visual picture of current traffic conditions at key intersections.

The site was developed by Savvior, using text content provided by a local public relations firm. ItÕs part of an effort to keep drivers informed about inconveniences caused by the projects, while making it as easy as possible to access that information.

ItÕs an interactive site that changes as regularly as project information is updated. "We initially approached Savvior about building the site in 1999, when many of these projects were announced," said Dick Skrinjar, PennDot information officer. "Our objective was to provide user-friendly information to the millions of drivers who travel the stateÕs roads each day," he said.

While the siteÕs main purpose is to provide information, Skrinjar said he also wanted it to be interesting, compelling, and fun to use. "Everything we imagined, Savvior found a way to make real. The value the Savvior team brings is its technological expertise, and its amazing ability to keep coming up with new concepts weÕd never seen before. Their involvement keeps the siteÑand, we hope, PennDotÑon the cutting edge," he said.

Keith Giuliani, Savvior president and CEO, said the project took about six weeks to complete and that the site continues to evolve, especially with the planned addition of further interactivity. "WeÕre in close, often daily contact with PennDot. As the publicÕs expectations of what a web presence should be continue to evolve, we continue to push our abilities to stay a few steps aheadÑalways looking for newer ways to use technology," he said.

Copyright © 2005 by John Fries, Pittsburgh, PA.