AlertTraveler User Guide

AlertTraveler User Guide

AlertTraveler Overview

M-Compass is integrated with the Terra Dotta AlertTraveler system.  AlertTraveler provides real-time health and safety alerts related to your travel destination. The AlertTraveler system includes an optional mobile application for iOS and Android devices that utilizes GPS and your trip registration itinerary.

It is available as an add-on service for U-M students that register their travel in M-Compass and students confirmed in M-Compass programs abroad. AlertTraveler provides country and city intelligence, automated messaging from the U-M Travel Registry, as well as an App with opt-in safety/security alerts specific to your trip.

Note: Use of the AlertTraveler mobile app is not required for University of Michigan related travel (UMRT). The following steps are optional and each traveler has the ability to set their own subscription and alert settings.

Installing AlertTraveler (iOS devices)

Go to the Apple App Store and search for AlertTraveler by name, then download and install it on your iOS device.
 
Note: You will need to obtain a Registration Email and Password before configuring the app (See “Configuring the AlertTraveler App” below).
 
If you want to subscribe to alerts while traveling, respond as indicated below to the following messages during initial activation:

• “AlertTraveler Would Like to Send You Notifications”  - Tap “Allow”
• “AlertTraveler Would Like to Access your Motion & Fitness Activity”  Tap “OK”
• “Allow “AlertTraveler” to access your location while you use the app”  Tap “Allow”
• “Background location is not enabled”  Tap “Settings” then tap “Location” and then select “Always.” 

Installing AlertTraveler (Android devices)

 
Go to the Google Play store and search for AlertTraveler by name, then install it on your Android device.
 
Note: You will need to obtain a Registration Email and Password before configuring the app (See “Configuring the AlertTraveler App” below).
 
If you want to subscribe to alerts while traveling, respond as indicated below during initial activation:

• Allow AlertTraveler to access this device’s location? - Tap “Allow”

Configuring the AlertTraveler App

You will need to obtain an AlertTraveler password before configuring the app on your device. The password is obtained from the Faculty & Staff Travel Registry, on your Traveler Profile page.

Obtain AT Password

1. Go to M-Compass and log in


2. From your User Home page, select the Alert Traveler Link:



Note: The Alert Traveler link will only appear when you are eligible to use the app. You will be eligible when:
 

• You are confirmed in a program abroad and the program start date is < 6 months away
• You have a travel registration for a trip that begins within the next 6 months

The Alert Traveler link will not be displayed for US travel and programs that take place entirely in the US.

3. In the AlertTraveler mobile app panel of your User Home, click the link 'Email me my password' link:



4. A message will be posted on the page when your password email is sent:



5. Check your UMICH email for a message from AlertTraveler Notification <alerts@alerttraveler.com>:

Register & Subscribe

6. Open the AlertTraveler app on your device and enter your UMICH email address and password from alerts@alerttraveler.com:



7. Choose desired settings for subscriptions, GPS location and alerts.


 

Using the AlertTraveler Mobile App

Note: Use of the AlertTraveler mobile app is not required for University related travel. It is optional and each traveler has the ability to set their own subscription and alert settings.

Navigation Menu

A hamburger menu (≡) on the top left of the screen serves as the navigation menu throughout the app. Access to the Profile is also available from the top right of the menu. Each of these options is described below.


 

Location Info

Upon selecting Location Info, the user will land on a Country Intelligence page for the country the user is currently in, based on the GPS-reported location of their device. Note: GPS data updates occur as follows:

• Every 8 hours
• Any time a traveler moves more than 5 KM
• The Contacts button at the top of the screen takes the user to a page that displays Emergency Contact information for the country displayed, including icons programmed to call police, fire, ambulance, and emergency numbers.
• Tapping any of the icons displays the appropriate emergency service phone number for that location at the bottom of the screen.
• The Subscribe button on the Country Intelligence page allows a user to create an opt-in subscription to alerts for that country.

Local Safety Map

Travelers can access a new Local Safety Map from the main AlertTraveler menu. This option provides quick access to an interactive map that includes the traveler's location and a visualization of the color-coded city scores.

My Alerts

The My Alerts page displays any alerts impacting the traveler , based on their GPS, Itinerary, and opt-in subscriptions. If a U-M check-in request has been issued, a “Check-in” button will also be displayed with the associated alert.

Profile

The Profile page allows you to set or change the cell phone number associated with your AlertTraveler profile.


 

Subscriptions

The Subscriptions page allows you to view and configure the subscriptions that determine the notifications and alerts you receive through AlertTraveler. Subscriptions apply to particular cities and countries and alerts are deployed as events impact those areas.
 

Emergency Contact

The Emergency Contact page will display emergency contact information for your current region based on your device’s current GPS location. Across the top of the page are police, fire, ambulance, and emergency icons. This page also displays the U-M emergency contact number for DPSS.  Finally, links to information for select diplomatic embassies are provided at the bottom of this page.

Report Incident

The Report Incident page allows you to report an incident for your GPS-based location. After an incident is reported, it is shown as a pin on the Local Safety Map.

WARNING: Reporting an incident on the AlertTraveler mobile app enters the information into a crowd-sourced data repository that is used in the AlertTraveler app's Local Safety Map. U-M will not be notified. In the event of an emergency, follow the U-M general emergency protocols on Global Michigan: https://global.umich.edu/travel-resources/emergency-contacts/