A new mobile technology will ensure the more than 90,000 visitors to the Games can find their way to events and entertainment with up to 60 volunteers at key locations throughout the city providing tear-away maps and SMS instructions for any queries received.
“Even if you just want to know where a specific type of restaurant is, the Directions Plus volunteers can locate any restaurant category and tell tourists the quickest way to get there," said the Minister for Information and Communication, Marsha Thomson.
Volunteers, wearing distinctive navy uniforms with an orange Directions Plus logo, will be at key locations around the city and Games venues to help.
“If you’re lost between two events at different venues, this device can tell you the quickest way to get from A to B, taking into account every mode of public transport, event-specific transport and walking routes," Minister Thomson said.
“The volunteers can print a tear away map and directions from their portable belt-mounted printer or send a text or picture message directly to a mobile phone, including the map, directions, and even the restaurant’s name and phone number for bookings.
“This technology is not only a world class performance but also a world class partnership between the Bracks Government, Victorian IT companies Geomatic Technologies and Readify.”
Directions Plus is funded through the Microsoft eGovernment Innovation Fund, a joint initiative between the Bracks Government and Games Partner, Microsoft.
"We have had international interest in this idea," she said. "There are endless possibilities for adding new information or looking at new ways to use this product to provide real-time help to people moving around Melbourne, or any other city at any other major event across the world."