Autobahn app: super flip flop for female drivers

Before you go on vacation, check out what the highway is like? Indeed, a federal highway app should make this possible – but users are disappointed. Now the preferred function of many drivers has also been discontinued. Why is the app, whose development cost 1.2 million euros in tax money, a failure?

The concept made sense: the federal Autobahn GmbH should share its wealth of data on the current traffic situation on federal highways with drivers via a smartphone app.

Autobahn App: No lane modification for current traffic

However, with one basic functionality, the Autobahn should have been convenient since it was introduced a year ago: it cannot be used as a navigation system. For example, if you want to drive from Berlin to Bremen, you will see the usual route through Magdeburg and Hanover, including all disturbances along the way, but the app is unable to give you instructions (“turn-by-turn” commands while driving) admit. That hasn’t changed even after 750,000 downloads.

The app can’t suggest alternative routes in real time either: when the A2 near Magdeburg was recently blocked, Google, Apple and TomTom routed their users on the A24 via Hamburg – while the Autobahn app simply showed a delay of more than three hours.

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The application also does not have voice control and does not transfer to the infotainment screens of modern cars. If you don’t have a passenger, you must park in a parking lot to be able to use the app at all.

The ratings are rather meager: the App Store has 2.4 out of 5 stars, the Google Play Store at least 2.9 out of 5 stars.

1.2 million euros in tax money: Autobahn app ‘useless’

However, in the latest reviews it is often given only 1 star because Autobahn GmbH has discontinued a popular function. At first, users were able to get an idea of ​​the traffic situation from hundreds of webcams along highways. Now it just shows an error message: “Due to the current developments in Europe, we have decided to deactivate webcam images until further notice.” This means that the app has “become useless,” according to the review. Many users complain that tax money is wasted here. According to Autobahn GmbH, it cost 1.2 million euros to develop the app.

The criticism of the Autobahn app in stores has also reached the Bitkom Digital Association. “Federal highway implementation has not met expectations,” Bitkom CEO Bernard Rollier said of the German news agency. It does not offer any recognizable added value compared to the current offers, such as avoiding traffic jams or displaying the nearest gas station. This is also shown by user ratings in the app stores.”

The Autobahn app is now mainly intended to help truck drivers

In principle, Rohleder said, it is welcome for the public sector to develop digital offerings. “However, these should start in the absence of corresponding specials.” Autobahn GmbH shall provide data such as road works, charging options for electric vehicles or the current traffic flow to third parties in such a way that this information can be easily incorporated into which current offerings can.

The Autobahn GmbH has now selected a new target group: “The app provides all truck drivers with many options for fast and efficient navigation,” says Imo von Valois, Head of Communications. Trucks can now see which routes have been affected by the driving ban on Saturdays in July and August and which alternate routes exist.

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In addition, at the end of August, a new application function will be available that will show truck drivers free parking spaces. It remains to be seen if the concept of the app which has been fundamentally criticized will be changed again. (dpa/mp)