Information Logistics, Inc. (ILOG) Urges Transportation Agencies to Prepare for Winter Emergencies Now

Pennsauken, NJ - September 5, 2025- As transportation departments are planning for winter operations to minimize their impact on roads across the United States, ILOG is recommending using HELP AlertsTM to protect travelers, improve emergency response and avoid tragic situations. HELP AlertsTM was developed with the Pennsylvania Turnpike based on the lessons learned in the tragic situations seen during Winter Storm Jonas in 2016 when hundreds of motorists were stranded for over 24 hours.

HELP AlertsTM enable transportation agencies to instantly communicate with travelers in or approaching major roadway incidents or emergency events without requiring motorists to download an app. Using the same wireless emergency alert (WEA) technology as AMBER Alerts, HELP AlertsTM can send targeted, geofenced notifications to all smartphones in that area ensuring critical information reaches those in harm's way.

"When severe weather creates dangerous road conditions, real-time communication can be the difference between life and death when every second counts," said Beth Abruscato, CEO. "HELP AlertsTM empower agencies to inform and protect travelers before they become stranded."

Alabama Winter Emergency Case Study
January 21, 2025: On I-85 South near Opelika, icy conditions turned treacherous as numerous large commercial vehicles became stuck on an elevated portion of the highway. The situation quickly escalated, trapping hundreds of vehicles in traffic backups stretching for miles. Due to hazardous conditions, towing companies could not remove the disabled trucks, preventing responders from clearing the roadway.

Motorists, including families with children and elderly travelers, were stranded in freezing temperatures for hours with limited access to food, water and restroom facilities. The Alabama Department of Transportation issued a 12-hour HELP Alert for all vehicles on the corridor to warn of the dangerous conditions.
Eventually, the National Guard arrived with heavy wreckers to assist in removing the stranded 18-wheelers and worked with first responders to locate and transport motorists to warming centers to prevent hypothermia.

This winter emergency incident demonstrates how HELP AlertsTM can be used not only to issue broad public warnings but also to:
• Send targeted reroute instructions to drivers before they enter gridlocked zones
• Provide real-time updates to stranded travelers, reducing panic and uncertainty

The lesson learned in Alabama was that targeted messages for commercial vehicles were needed. ILOG has partnered with Drivewyze to now provide commercial vehicles approaching an impacted area with in-cab warnings.

Unique HELP AlertsTM Features
• No app required for motorists to receive alerts.
• One-way or two-way communication to gather traveler status or confirm receipt.
• Integration with Drivewyze to send emergency notifications directly to commercial vehicles approaching incident scenes - even beyond home state borders.
• TMC operator control, enabling agencies to send targeted, relevant messages without requiring additional WEA approval delays.

"HELP AlertsTM were purpose-built for transportation agencies, ensuring they can reach travelers instantly with the most relevant safety information," Beth Abruscato added. "We designed HELP AlertsTM so that no one has to wonder what is happening when roads are closed or conditions are life-threatening especially in the winter, but also year-round for tropical storms, flooding, etc."

Prepare Now for Upcoming Winter Storms!
ILOG encourages all transportation departments to integrate HELP AlertsTM into their winter emergency operations plans to keep motorists safe, improve incident management and support first responders.
For more information on HELP AlertsTM, visit https://ilogcorp.com/iris/help_alerts.aspx or contact transport@ilogcorp.com.

1415 Route 70 E,
Cherry Hill, NJ 08034
USA

About ILOG

ILOG's mission is to keep people safe by alerting them to problems on their journeys and impacting their location, ensuring that they have the information needed to make smarter, faster decisions. Since 1997, ILOG has been a pioneer in traveler information systems, serving transportation agencies, border security agencies and local governments with innovative solutions that improve safety, mobility and operational efficiency.
ILOG's trusted offerings include the Incident Response & Information System (IRIS) platform, Highway Emergency Linked Platform (HELP) Alerts, 511 systems, GeoTalker "hands-free, eyes-free" mobile app, wireless emergency alerts, IRIS Eyes, IRIS Locate and Incident Command Communications Management and Response tools. Known for its responsive customer service and skilled engineering teams, ILOG delivers reliable, scalable and user-focused information technology solutions that empower agencies to serve their communities effectively.

This release was published on openPR.