The newly released AAA Roadside application for iPhone helps stranded motorists by sending detailed information directly to AAA's roadside assistance dispatch.

The free applicaiton provides AAA members with a way to use their iPhone's location-based services to quickly send their vehicle location, description, specific vehicle problem and other information for roadside assistance. The user has the option to place a voice call, and once the request is submitted, the AAA member receives a confirmation that the information was received.

"This app launch is just one facet of AAA's overall wireless and telematics strategy," said Jeff Green, national managing director of location-based technologies at AAA, Heathrow, FL. "By making AAA's unique content and differentiated services directly accessible via wireless devices, AAA members will realize even greater value and savings, and those who are not yet members will have the opportunity see how AAA membership could benefit them.

"AAA recognizes that those in various market segments may wish to interact with AAA in different ways," he said. "While this app may initially reach out to younger demographics, the expanding market share of smartphones will further expand this reach as the market continues to evolve."

As North America's largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 51 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services.

The AAA Roadside iPhone application includes a While You Are Waiting feature, so members can search for nearby AAA-approved auto repair shops, Hertz rental locations offering AAA member discounts, AAA-approved accommodations, AAA offices and retail locations with discounts on auto parts.

Each search displays key information for each location, such as the name, address, phone, distance from location, routing map, driving directions and a summary of the discount details.

For those who are not AAA members, the app also has a Join AAA feature.

The AAA Roadside application is available for free from the Apple App Store.

"AAA member benefits such as roadside assistance, discounts and travel content have very significant value to all members, but especially those who are on the go," Mr. Green said. "Providing ready-access to these services and content through devices that users have with them further increases the value of AAA membership.

"For example, using a AAA iPhone app, members who may be unsure of their location can send their location data, as determined by the application, to AAA where it is seamlessly integrated with our road service dispatching for prompt service delivery," he said.

AAA's first app, AAA Discounts, launched in April 2009 and has been downloaded more than half a million times from the App Store. AAA Discounts displays Show Your Card & Save partners near the user's location. (see story).

All of AAA's wireless products and services are being promoted via smartphone app stores, AAA.com/mobile, AAA publications and other channels.

Consumers can stay connected with AAA on the Web via Twitter.com/AAAnews, Twitter.com/AAAauto, YouTube.com/AAA, MySpace.com/AAAeveryday and the AAA fan page on Facebook.com.

"Mobile provides endless opportunities to provide access to services and content when, where and how users require it, and in forms that maximize relevance and value," Mr. Green said.

"For AAA, mobile will make AAA membership even more valuable than it already is, and provides new opportunities to expose non-members to the value of AAA membership," he said.

Jordan Crook contributed reporting for this story.