ATLANTA — Doug Turnbull has experienced a significant shift in his traffic reporting career over the past year. After two decades of primarily airborne traffic reporting in Atlanta, Turnbull took a nine-month sabbatical to focus on retirement radio and podcasting at the financial marketing firm Impact Partnership.
This break offered him a refreshing change, with a wonderful culture at Impact, exceptional products, and a more manageable schedule akin to bankers’ hours, contrasting sharply with the relentless demands of live media.
However, as fate would have it, the opportunity at 11Alive arose, reigniting his passion for real-time news reporting.
During a single day of training with traffic anchor Rachel Cox-Rosen in the Midtown newsroom, Turnbull was once again drawn into the urgency of traffic reporting.
The transition he has made not only involves a switch from radio to television but also encompasses the innovative technology used for gathering traffic information.
At 11Alive, Turnbull operates the rebranded and upgraded Weather and Traffic Impact Tracker, an SUV equipped with multiple external cameras, full digital broadcasting capabilities, and steady WiFi, which is a crucial feature for any modern reporter.
Equipped with robust internet access and several power banks, Turnbull’s portable Traffic Center allows him to scour online sources, monitor traffic cameras, and listen to police scanners—all while on the road.
This dual approach not only enhances the team’s ability to provide timely updates but also gives Turnbull the advantage of being on-site to witness incidents firsthand.
The Traffic Impact Tracker, when he is in the passenger seat, sends a broadcast-ready signal back to 11Alive via a reliable 5G cellular network.
The quality of sound and picture from this setup rivals that of traditional field reporters, making it a competitive option against older reporting methods that relied on microwave and satellite trucks.
Driving the Traffic Impact Tracker is photographer Stephen Boissy, who brings a wealth of local knowledge about ideal spots to pull over for optimal views.
He also has the ability to disembark and record incidents, enabling Turnbull to conduct stand-up reports safely from outside the vehicle.
Advancements in technology have streamlined remote reporting, making it more cost-efficient and manageable than the past.
While the helicopter reporting experience was sleek and time-efficient—especially when covering incidents quickly from the sky—helicopters are confined to airspace constraints and can only cover so much ground at a time.
Turnbull acknowledges that helicopter reporters have a significant advantage in spotting new incidents and assessing the overall impact of traffic delays from above.
Nevertheless, advancements in technology have significantly narrowed the gap between ground-based reporting and aerial reporting.
Google Maps and similar navigation applications leverage complex algorithms to analyze cell signal density and speed, allowing for precise identification of traffic delays.
To Turnbull and his team, these tools function almost like a radar for traffic, helping them understand slow spots in real time.
The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) and various local jurisdictions have expanded the network of traffic cameras throughout Metro Atlanta since Turnbull began his career in 2004.
These cameras and mapping systems essentially provide the benefits of aerial surveillance in the time when helicopters are not in the air.
Inclement weather often grounds helicopters. Even minor atmospheric conditions can halt aerial coverage, while routine maintenance can sideline helicopters for extended periods.
In contrast, the Traffic Impact Tracker is built to endure adverse weather conditions.
While maintenance is still a part of the job, it tends to involve less downtime than that required for helicopters.
Traditionally, news and traffic helicopters transmitted signals via microwave technology, which often required electronic news gathering producers to tune in, a system that was less reliable.
With the advent of 5G technology, the signal from the ground-based Traffic Impact Tracker boasts a more stable and dependable connection.
In Turnbull’s past experience with radio, communication relied on two-way radios, which often faced interference and range issues due to the increasing volume of wireless signals in recent years.
Reporting from the truck allows him to engage in seamless conversations with Cox-Rosen and the 11Alive team through Microsoft Teams, though there are both advantages and disadvantages to this system.
Turnbull also listens to the broadcast of 11Alive for instructions and cues, utilizing a radio line to communicate with producers.
However, he must regularly switch out his wireless earbuds for recharging, while managing a slight delay in audio communication as he addresses producers through a clip-on lavalier microphone.
Turnbull expresses an appreciation for the helicopter’s unique vantage point, thrill, and speedy response provided in the past; however, he finds that the connectivity of the 11Alive Traffic Impact Tracker gives him an enhanced ability to stay informed of ongoing traffic incidents while truly experiencing the frustrations that Atlanta drivers face.
Currently, 11Alive stands out as the only news outlet deploying a reporter into Atlanta traffic every morning.
Turnbull takes pride in working at a station that provides these essential tools and allows him to deliver timely traffic updates.
Viewers are encouraged to tune in from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. on 11Alive+ to hear about the most congested routes and traffic issues before their daily commutes.
Doug Turnbull is a dedicated traffic and transportation reporter for 11Alive, alongside Rachel Cox-Rosen. His insightful Gridlock Guy column is also featured weekly in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
image source from：11alive
