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5-1-1

April 09, 2024

"5‒1‒1" redirects here. For other topics, see 511 (disambiguation).

5-1-1 is a transportation and traffic information telephone hotline in some regions of the United States and Canada. Travelers can dial 511, a three-digit telephone number, on landlines and most mobile phones. The number has also extended to be the default name of many state and provincial transportation department road conditions Web sites, such as Wisconsin's site.[1] It is an example of an N11 code, part of the North American Numbering Plan.

5-1-1 services in the United States are organized by state or region. Some 5-1-1 services are limited to information for drivers regarding road conditions and traffic. Other services have a wider scope, also providing information on public transport, carpooling and other services.

In the United States edit

History and implementation edit

Beginning as a research project at the University of North Dakota in the Summer 1995, an Advanced Traveler Information System, known by its phone number #SAFE (#7233). This initial system provided the proof of concept for a statewide application across both North and South Dakota, and later Minnesota. This system proved that all interstates, and state highways, could be covered and information about these roadways could be provided to travelers on demand 24/7. After more than 5 years of around the clock operations, the principles that established the operational and business rules of the #SAFE program were adopted by the FHWA as the initial guidelines of what was to later become 5-1-1.

In March 1998, a 3-digit dialing code was launched in the Cincinnati–Northern Kentucky metropolitan area for the ARTIMIS project. The SmarTraveler service, operated by SmartRoute Systems for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet since 1995, had been using a 7-digit code (333-3333) which was available to landline phones in both Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky area codes, but cellular callers had to dial a separate code (*1) to access the same touch-tone traffic system. SmartRoute Systems and KYTC negotiated with the two active cellular carriers and Cincinnati Bell and reached an agreement on allowing a 3-digit code "2-1-1" (a number agreed by the carriers), making this the "first in the nation".[2] This implementation was seen as proof that wireless carriers could implement short-codes without a * or # prefix requirement, and led to a series of discussions with the USDOT and the FCC pushing the carriers to release the number (which they viewed as precious internal resources).

On October 2, 1996, Eli Sherer of SmartRoute Systems, along with representatives from ITS America, the USDOT Joint Program Office, and others met with the FCC [3] regarding the possibility of reserving an N11 number nationwide for Advanced Traveler Information Systems. This meeting led to further discussions at ITS America and USDOT, and the information provided was used and molded into the USDOT petition to the FCC for a 3-digit code for ATIS. The USDOT petition (as noted below) did NOT request a specific N11 number; When the FCC ruling was made on July 21, 2001, the 511 code was "ASSIGNED as a national abbreviated dialing code to be used exclusively for access to travel information services," and at the same time, the 211 code was "ASSIGNED as a national abbreviated dialing code to be used to access community information and referral services." Therefore, the 211 code that had been in use in Cincinnati since 1998 was changed to 511.

As of March 2001, at least 300 telephone numbers existed for travel information systems in the United States. To overcome the confusion caused by this array of numbers, the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) petitioned the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for a national assignment of a single three-digit N11 dialing code. On July 21, 2000, the FCC assigned 511 as a nationwide telephone number for intelligent transportation system (ITS) traveler information,[4] along with 2-1-1 for social services. Its use is being promoted by the USDOT's ITS initiative.[5]

"On March 8, 1999, the U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) petitioned the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to designate a nationwide three-digit telephone number for traveler information.
On July 21, 2000, the FCC designated 511 as the United States' national travel information telephone number."[6]

The first 511 traveler information system to launch was the Cincinnati area's ARTIMIS hotline in June 2001.[7]

The first statewide 511 traveler information system was launched across the state of Nebraska in October 2001.[8]

Eight states, from Alaska to Maine, pooled resources and expertise to develop the 511 voice-activated phone service for travelers. Led by the Iowa DOT, the multi-state consortium received $700,000 from the Federal Highway Administration to help pay for system design and software development. Each state also provided a 20 percent matching fund, boosting total funds to nearly $900,000. In addition to Iowa, the participating states in the consortium (as of 2011) are Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Sacramento Area Council of Governments, and Vermont.

Individual states have the lead role in coordinating 511 deployments. National leadership is provided by the 511 Deployment Coalition.[9] Led by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), and including travel information experts from more than 30 organizations, the Coalition has developed voluntary guidelines for state transportation agencies to follow when planning 511 service for their states or regions. Other leading member organizations of the Coalition include the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), the Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS America), and the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Active systems edit

Active 511 systems (in order of deployment date)[citation needed] as of January 31, 2010:

California edit

San Francisco edit
 
The logo on a road sign
 
FasTrak antennae that poll vehicle transponders to collect data used to generate 511.org traffic information, San Francisco

Preceded, in 1996, by TravInfo[11][12] and 817-1717,[13][14][15][16] travelers in the San Francisco Bay Area can use the 5-1-1 phone service, access transit and traffic information on a Web site, 511.org, which provides information on mass transit schedules and an interactive trip planner, which will provide an optimal routing between a given origin, destination, and optional time constraints. In addition, 511.org provides information on bicycling, ridesharing, and the toll road system FasTrak. 511.org[17] is a service of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission,[18] and was designed by the transportation engineering company PB Farradyne,[19] a division of Parsons Brinckerhoff Quade & Douglas,[18] (later Telvent Farradyne).[20] The system had a fair amount of controversy when it was announced that it would use FasTrak electronic toll tags to track vehicles as they traversed Bay Area freeways.[21] 511 has since stopped using FasTrak toll tag data to provide driving times.[22] Driving times are now derived from GPS probe vehicle-based traffic speed data that 511 purchases from INRIX, Inc.[23]

In 2006, the Bay Area's transit coordinator signed an $11 million four-year contract with defense contractor Science Applications International Corporation to operate the local 511 system.[24]

San Diego edit

Users of the San Diego area have access to road, transit, and other information via the phone and Web. They can access transit information on a Web site,[25] which provides information on mass transit schedules and an interactive trip planner, which will provide an optimal routing between a given origin, destination, and optional time constraints. In addition, 511sd.com provides information on bicycling, ridesharing, and the toll road system Fastrak. 511sd.com is a service of the San Diego Association of Governments, and was designed by the company ICx Technologies and PB Farradyne (now Telvent Farradyne).[20]

Florida edit

Florida has an active 511 system that underwent an overhaul in 2009. Central Florida is claimed to have the most-used 511 system in the nation, on a per capita basis.[26]

Georgia edit

This statewide Georgia Navigator system provides traffic, MARTA/GRTA and other public transport, rideshare, Clean Air Campaign, Atlanta and Savannah airport, Amtrak, Greyhound, weather and tourism information in an interactive voice response (IVR) format. Callers are also given the option of connecting to live operators at the Georgia Department of Transportation's Transportation Management Center in Atlanta. Connecting to operators allows users to report traffic accidents to the Georgia State Patrol or local police or sheriffs, or request motorist assistance from the Highway Emergency Response Operators (HERO) program. Callers can also connect to adjacent states' 5-1-1 systems, including North Carolina's.

In January 2011, the Georgia Department of Transportation launched a mobile application on the iPhone platform to provide iPhone users with a mobile option for up to the minute traffic information found on the website. The application also provides special offers and other information about businesses and organizations who participate in the program.

Georgia actually had a system for years before this, using only live operators, and the code *DOT (*368), which could not necessarily be used by those mobile phone users who were roaming from elsewhere, as these codes are specific to each phone company. A local 404 number in metro Atlanta and a toll-free 800 number were used for these and landline calls, and still serve as backup for mobile providers that fail to connect.[27]

Kentucky edit

In Kentucky, 511 services cover traffic and weather conditions, and can also be heard on the radio on the AM dial (the Travelers' Information Station) and at 511.ky.gov.[28]

New Hampshire edit

The New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) has implemented a service that helps commuters and travelers access information regarding weather-related road conditions, construction and congestion, via the Web or mobile device 24/7. The site can be found at ww38.511nh.com. New Hampshire is part of an 8-state consortium that is sharing the cost to design and develop the system.[29]

New York edit

511 New York is established and administered by the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT). Basic service was launched in the New York City metropolitan area in late 2008. Statewide coverage and more sophisticated services will be added throughout 2009. 511 NY – "Get Connected to Go" is the umbrella brand of The New York State Department of Transportation for traffic, transit and travel information. The 511 New York theme line is: Get Connected to Go. The tag line is: New York State's Official Traffic and Travel Info Source. The credit line is: A Free Service of the New York State Department of Transportation.

In the New York metropolitan area 5-1-1 provides information on bus, subway, and commuter rail mass transit systems in addition to road conditions and traffic information.

Pennsylvania edit

Pennsylvania's statewide 511 launched on September 1, 2009. The system provides up to date information on all the states interstate highways.[30]

Tennessee edit

Implemented in August 2006, Tennessee travelers have the option of accessing road and travel conditions at TN511.com[31] or through the 511 phone service.

Virginia edit

The FCC designated 511 as the national traveler information number. Virginia's 511 system began in the Shenandoah Valley in 2000 and went statewide in early 2005.[32] Currently both the 511virginia.org website and calling 511 from any land line or mobile phone provides statewide travelling information. Alternatively, there is now a 511 VDOT app for iOS and Android devices.

West Virginia edit

The West Virginia Department of Transportation's (WVDOT) free 511 Traveler Information System provides real-time traffic information, including congestion, construction, lane closures, road conditions and severe weather information on all West Virginia interstates and other major highways. The resource is available 24 hours a day via phone by dialing 511 or online at WV511.org. WV 511 advisories also are available from the WV 511 Drive Safe mobile app and via statewide, regional and roadway-specific Twitter feeds. The public safety alerts (such as Amber Alerts and Silver Alerts) carried on 511 are voluntary, cooperative partnerships among law enforcement, WVDOT, other agencies and local broadcasters. WVDOT uses overhead electronic message signs and 511 to get public safety alerts out to the public. 511 was implemented in West Virginia in 2012.[33]

Wyoming edit

In the summer of 2007, the original vendor was removed and services were redesigned and improved using Meridian Environmental Technology.[34] The effort to redesign and improve service undertaken summer of 2007 to revamp WYDOT's 511 Travel Information telephone service is paying benefits this winter, based on recent customer feedback.[35]

Some of the additional features are:

  • Ability to choose neighboring states that provide 511 information
  • Voice recognition, with the option to revert to touchtone keypad input
  • Ability to choose route-specific information or regional summaries
  • Agency capability to include Alerts (Amber, Homeland, customized)

Similar services in the United States edit

The Minnesota Department of Transportation operates a website for traffic and road condition information.

Discontinuing services edit

Washington edit

The Washington State Department of Transportation launched the state's 511 service in July 2003.[36] On April 24, 2023, the WSDOT announced that it would deactivate the 511 telephone number within the state on May 19 of that year, citing declining usage (attributed to the use of smartphones and GPS navigation), old technology, and cost.[37][38]

In Canada edit

Implementation edit

The Intelligent Transportation Systems Society of Canada (ITS Canada) has brought together a consortium, the Canada 511 Consortium,[39] to help get 5-1-1 service established in Canada.

In January 2005, the consortium filed an application to assign the 5-1-1 access code in Canada. It proposed that in addition to traffic, the number would report weather, which also has a major impact on traffic, particularly in a country with such harsh winters. The application was approved by the CRTC in Canada on July 28, 2006.[40][41]

In March 2007, an article in Computing Canada said it was up to each individual province whether or not to launch a 5-1-1 system, but that not all provinces were eager to proceed.[42]

In May 2008, an article in IT World Canada claimed that the 5-1-1 initiative "appears to have lost momentum".[43]

British Columbia began loose implementation of 5-1-1 service in late 2009/early 2010. This replaced the interim mobile service provided by *4997 (*HWYS) which had been in place on Rogers, Telus Mobility and Bell Mobility. BC 5-1-1 service was available to Telus, Telus Mobility and Telus MiKE clients as of 2010. Full service NOT utilizing 5-1-1 is available via DriveBC (a government website/phone line) at www.drivebc.ca or by phone across North America at 1-800-550-4997 (HWYS).

Alberta unveiled its 5-1-1 road report service on February 4, 2013.[44]

In Saskatchewan 5-1-1 redirects to 888-335-7623 which is the Highways Hotline, a Provincial phone information system with highway weather and impassibility information. The Implementation date is Unknown.

Active systems edit

Alberta,[45] Manitoba,[46]Ontario,[47][48][49] Quebec,[47] New Brunswick,[50] Nova Scotia,[51] Prince Edward Island[52] and the Yukon Territory[53] each have 5-1-1 systems. Most provinces and territories without 5-1-1 systems have other road information hotlines, accessible by dialing various phone numbers.[54]

References edit

  1. ^ . 511wi.gov. Archived from the original on April 27, 2012. Retrieved May 23, 2012.
  2. ^ Aultman-Hall, Lisa (December 1999). "Evaluation of ARTIMIS Telephone Information System" (PDF). Report No. KTC-99-66.
  3. ^ "ECFS".
  4. ^ (PDF). September 2005. p. 5. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 17, 2007. Retrieved April 7, 2007.
  5. ^ "FCC designates 511 traffic information number". Civil Engineering. 70 (9): 12. September 2000.
  6. ^ Deployment Assistance Report #5: Public Transportation Content on 511 Services (PDF). 511 Deployment Coalition. June 2003. Retrieved January 9, 2021. International City/County Management Association
  7. ^ "511 Deployment Status" September 21, 2008, at the Wayback Machine, USDOT. Retrieved on March 3, 2008
  8. ^ "Nebraska 511 Information" March 3, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, USDOT. Retrieved on June 12, 2009
  9. ^ "Deploy511.org". Deploy511.org. from the original on May 23, 2012. Retrieved May 23, 2012.
  10. ^ "Phone Upgrades". from the original on February 4, 2015. Retrieved February 4, 2015.
  11. ^ "511 to Provide One-Stop Shopping". Hacienda Pulse. September 17, 2002. Retrieved January 9, 2021. In the Bay Area and Tri-Valley Area, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) is the transportation planning, coordinating and financing agency, and hence, is the agency that will be implementing 511.
  12. ^ EXAMINER GRAPHICS (October 1, 1996). "USING TravInfo freeway monitoring system". SFGATE. Hearst. Retrieved January 9, 2021. The TravInfo freeway monitoring system collects and distributes instantaneous traffic information for highways around the Bay Area. PHONE: 817-1717 (from any area code).
  13. ^ Goll, David (September 8, 2000). . East Bay Business Times. American City Business Journals, Inc. Archived from the original on March 9, 2006. Retrieved January 9, 2021. PB Farradyne reached an agreement with the Oakland-based Metropolitan Transportation Commission to operate and eventually expand Trav-Info, a real-time traffic and transit information source. PB Farradyne is a division of New York-based Parsons Brinckerhoff Inc., the nation's largest transportation design firm. ...The MTC, which handles transportation planning and financing for the nine-county Bay Area, established TravInfo in 1996 along with the California Department of Transportation and the California Highway Patrol. ...Michael Berman, MTC's TravInfo project manager...
  14. ^ Koo, Ronald; Miller, Mark A.; Hall, Randolph; Yim, Youngbin (September 1998). "TravInfo Evaluation Traveler Response Element: TravInfo 817-1717 Caller Study Phase 1 Results". UC Berkeley: California Partners for Advanced Transportation Technology. CiteSeerX 10.1.1.534.2774.
  15. ^ "Program Organization". TravInfo®. MTC. December 31, 1997. from the original on December 7, 1998. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  16. ^ . TravInfo®. MTC. November 11, 1998. Archived from the original on December 6, 1998. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  17. ^ "511.org". 511.org. May 10, 2012. from the original on May 22, 2012. Retrieved May 23, 2012.
  18. ^ a b . TravInfo®. Metropolitan Transportation Commission. August 6, 2002. Archived from the original on August 6, 2002. Retrieved January 9, 2021. Metropolitan Transportation Commission; California Highway Patrol; Caltrans; PB Farradyne (PBF) is a division of Parsons Brinckerhoff Quade & Douglas;
  19. ^ . PB Farradyne. Parsons Brinckerhoff. April 2, 2002. Archived from the original on April 2, 2002. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  20. ^ a b . 2006. Archived from the original on November 18, 2006. Retrieved November 15, 2006.
  21. ^ FasTrak Application and License Agreement May 3, 2014, at the Wayback Machine, Toll Tags: section, last subsection: You agree that the Toll Tag may be read to provide anonymous traffic flow data to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission's '511' project, a real time traffic information service. No information identifying a FasTrak account, person or vehicle using the Toll Tag will be collected by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission or '511'.
  22. ^ . Archived from the original on February 14, 2014. Retrieved August 22, 2014.
  23. ^ . Archived from the original on August 26, 2014. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
  24. ^ . October 2006. Archived from the original on September 28, 2007. Retrieved March 15, 2007.
  25. ^ . Archived from the original on February 17, 2008. Retrieved June 21, 2007.
  26. ^ "Central Florida 511 system nation's most used". Orlando Business Journal. August 4, 2006. from the original on May 25, 2011. Retrieved November 15, 2006.
  27. ^ "Dial 511 for transportation information". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. August 15, 2007. Retrieved August 15, 2006. [dead link]
  28. ^ "511.ky.gov". 511.ky.gov. from the original on May 29, 2012. Retrieved May 23, 2012.
  29. ^ . New Hampshire Department of Transportation. Archived from the original on January 2, 2011. Retrieved March 16, 2011.
  30. ^ "Post-gazette.com". Post-gazette.com. March 16, 2012. from the original on June 4, 2011. Retrieved May 23, 2012.
  31. ^ "TN511.com". TN511.com. from the original on May 25, 2012. Retrieved May 23, 2012.
  32. ^ "511virginia.org". 511virginia.org. from the original on August 7, 2013. Retrieved August 7, 2013.
  33. ^ . West Virginia Department of Transportation. Archived from the original on April 8, 2015. Retrieved May 10, 2015.
  34. ^ . Wyoming DOT News. July 3, 2007. Archived from the original on April 22, 2007.
  35. ^ "Revamped 511 Travel Information service increases customer satisfaction". Wyoming DOT News. February 11, 2008.[permanent dead link]
  36. ^ "FHWA 511 Travel Information Telephone Services - Washington State 511 Information". ops.fhwa.dot.gov. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  37. ^ "The WSDOT Blog - Washington State Department of Transportation: Deactivating the 511 Phone Number – and tools to use instead to stay informed". The WSDOT Blog - Washington State Department of Transportation. April 24, 2023. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  38. ^ "WSDOT says goodbye to 511 as it shuts down WA travel info phone line". The Seattle Times. April 25, 2023. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  39. ^ . Intelligent Transportation Systems Society of Canada. Archived from the original on July 4, 2010. Retrieved June 14, 2010. ITS Canada has initiated an effort to establish the 511 telephone number as an automated 'weather and traveller information service' number in Canada. ... ITS Canada has developed a 'Canada 511 Consortium'... .
  40. ^ Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (July 28, 2006). . Government of Canada. Archived from the original on August 21, 2006. Retrieved November 15, 2006.
  41. ^ . ITS Canada Newsletter. Intelligent Transportation Systems Society of Canada. August 2006. Archived from the original on July 6, 2011. Retrieved June 13, 2010. On July 28, 2006, the Canada Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) announced the assignment of the three-digit dialing code 511 for weather and traveller information in Canada, culminating over two years of work by ITS Canada and other members of the Canada 511 Consortium.
  42. ^ Sibley, Kathleen (March 2, 2007). "Road to national 511 service is littered with speed bumps". Computing Canada. 33 (3). ISSN 0319-0161. from the original on September 28, 2011. Retrieved June 13, 2010. That's because, while Environment Canada is spearheading the weather information service, the other portion is the responsibility of the provinces, not all of whom have the same interest in (or resources to participate in) the project. And that, say experts, could leave a good part of the undertaking in the ditch.
  43. ^ Lombardi, Rosie (May 20, 2008). "511 service off to slow start in Canada". IT World Canada. from the original on March 21, 2012. Retrieved June 13, 2010. But the initiative appears to have lost momentum.
  44. ^ "Alberta set to launch new 511 service". Archived from the original on February 16, 2013. Retrieved February 4, 2013. Alberta's provincial government is set to unveil its new 511 road report service on Monday.
  45. ^ "Alberta road conditions, road reports and traffic cams". from the original on September 2, 2014.
  46. ^ "Manitoba 511 - Road and Traveller Information". Archived from the original on December 10, 2014.
  47. ^ a b . Cogeco Home Phone FAQ. Cogeco Cable Inc. Archived from the original on December 7, 2010. Retrieved June 24, 2010. 511 is a quick way to contact the Ontario Ministry of Transportation. From this line, you can obtain traffic, weather and road condition reports across the province.
  48. ^ . Distributel Communications Ltd. website. Archived from the original on June 30, 2010. Retrieved June 24, 2010. 5-1-1 is a free service that allows callers to find out about road conditions, report transportation incidents, make comments or complaints, and obtain other general information pertaining to transportation. 5-1-1 is available in Ontario and Quebec and is intended for non-emergency inquiries. Click either of the "Available services" tabs to see the original quoted text.
  49. ^ "Ontario 511 - About Ontario 511". MTO. Government of Ontario. from the original on May 19, 2014. Retrieved May 19, 2014. Ontario 511 is an Ontario Ministry of Transportation telephone service that provides the public with voice-activated, hands-free information on provincial highways: Road closures, Winter road conditions, and Construction projects
  50. ^ . New Brunswick Department of Transportation website. Archived from the original on June 16, 2010. Retrieved June 24, 2010. For Road Conditions Dial 511 within New Brunswick
  51. ^ "Road Conditions - 511". Nova Scotia Department of Transportation & Infrastructure Renewal website. from the original on January 16, 2013. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
  52. ^ "Prince Edward Island to introduce 511 system". Prince Edward Island Department of Transportation & Infrastructure Renewal website. from the original on May 20, 2014. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
  53. ^ . Town of Faro website. Archived from the original on March 1, 2012. Retrieved June 24, 2010. Dial 511 from any touch-tone phone in the Yukon for the current road report
  54. ^ Luebke, Bruce A. "Road Conditions and Construction Information". Drivers Daily Log website. from the original on September 23, 2010. Retrieved June 13, 2010. This list below provides phone number and Web site information by state for road conditions and road construction forecasts in the United States and Canada.

External links edit

Region-specific 511 sites edit

  • Alberta
  • Arizona
  • California – Greater Los Angeles Area
  • California – Sacramento Area
  • California – San Diego Area February 17, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  • California – San Francisco Bay Area
  • California – San Luis Obispo County
  • Florida
  • Florida – Jacksonville Florida Area
  • Georgia
  • Hawaii
  • Idaho
  • Indiana
  • Iowa
  • Kansas September 28, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  • Kentucky
  • Louisiana
  • Massachusetts
  • Minnesota
  • Montana
  • New Jersey
  • New York
  • Nebraska
  • Nevada
  • North Dakota
  • Northern New England – New Hampshire November 20, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  • Northern New England – Vermont
  • Ohio
  • Oregon
  • Pennsylvania
  • Quebec
  • South Carolina
  • South Dakota March 3, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  • Tennessee
  • Utah
  • Virginia
  • Washington
  • West Virginia
  • Wisconsin April 27, 2012, at the Wayback Machine

General information edit

  • Federal Highway Administration 511 website, a source of official information
  • 511 Deployment Coalition, a United States 511 advocacy group

April 09, 2024
redirects, here, other, topics, disambiguation, transportation, traffic, information, telephone, hotline, some, regions, united, states, canada, travelers, dial, three, digit, telephone, number, landlines, most, mobile, phones, number, also, extended, default,. 5 1 1 redirects here For other topics see 511 disambiguation 5 1 1 is a transportation and traffic information telephone hotline in some regions of the United States and Canada Travelers can dial 511 a three digit telephone number on landlines and most mobile phones The number has also extended to be the default name of many state and provincial transportation department road conditions Web sites such as Wisconsin s site 1 It is an example of an N11 code part of the North American Numbering Plan 5 1 1 services in the United States are organized by state or region Some 5 1 1 services are limited to information for drivers regarding road conditions and traffic Other services have a wider scope also providing information on public transport carpooling and other services Contents 1 In the United States 1 1 History and implementation 1 2 Active systems 1 2 1 California 1 2 1 1 San Francisco 1 2 1 2 San Diego 1 2 2 Florida 1 2 3 Georgia 1 2 4 Kentucky 1 2 5 New Hampshire 1 2 6 New York 1 2 7 Pennsylvania 1 2 8 Tennessee 1 2 9 Virginia 1 2 10 West Virginia 1 2 11 Wyoming 1 2 12 Similar services in the United States 1 3 Discontinuing services 1 3 1 Washington 2 In Canada 2 1 Implementation 2 2 Active systems 3 References 4 External links 4 1 Region specific 511 sites 4 2 General informationIn the United States editHistory and implementation edit Beginning as a research project at the University of North Dakota in the Summer 1995 an Advanced Traveler Information System known by its phone number SAFE 7233 This initial system provided the proof of concept for a statewide application across both North and South Dakota and later Minnesota This system proved that all interstates and state highways could be covered and information about these roadways could be provided to travelers on demand 24 7 After more than 5 years of around the clock operations the principles that established the operational and business rules of the SAFE program were adopted by the FHWA as the initial guidelines of what was to later become 5 1 1 In March 1998 a 3 digit dialing code was launched in the Cincinnati Northern Kentucky metropolitan area for the ARTIMIS project The SmarTraveler service operated by SmartRoute Systems for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet since 1995 had been using a 7 digit code 333 3333 which was available to landline phones in both Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky area codes but cellular callers had to dial a separate code 1 to access the same touch tone traffic system SmartRoute Systems and KYTC negotiated with the two active cellular carriers and Cincinnati Bell and reached an agreement on allowing a 3 digit code 2 1 1 a number agreed by the carriers making this the first in the nation 2 This implementation was seen as proof that wireless carriers could implement short codes without a or prefix requirement and led to a series of discussions with the USDOT and the FCC pushing the carriers to release the number which they viewed as precious internal resources On October 2 1996 Eli Sherer of SmartRoute Systems along with representatives from ITS America the USDOT Joint Program Office and others met with the FCC 3 regarding the possibility of reserving an N11 number nationwide for Advanced Traveler Information Systems This meeting led to further discussions at ITS America and USDOT and the information provided was used and molded into the USDOT petition to the FCC for a 3 digit code for ATIS The USDOT petition as noted below did NOT request a specific N11 number When the FCC ruling was made on July 21 2001 the 511 code was ASSIGNED as a national abbreviated dialing code to be used exclusively for access to travel information services and at the same time the 211 code was ASSIGNED as a national abbreviated dialing code to be used to access community information and referral services Therefore the 211 code that had been in use in Cincinnati since 1998 was changed to 511 As of March 2001 at least 300 telephone numbers existed for travel information systems in the United States To overcome the confusion caused by this array of numbers the United States Department of Transportation USDOT petitioned the Federal Communications Commission FCC for a national assignment of a single three digit N11 dialing code On July 21 2000 the FCC assigned 511 as a nationwide telephone number for intelligent transportation system ITS traveler information 4 along with 2 1 1 for social services Its use is being promoted by the USDOT s ITS initiative 5 On March 8 1999 the U S Department of Transportation U S DOT petitioned the Federal Communications Commission FCC to designate a nationwide three digit telephone number for traveler information On July 21 2000 the FCC designated 511 as the United States national travel information telephone number 6 The first 511 traveler information system to launch was the Cincinnati area s ARTIMIS hotline in June 2001 7 The first statewide 511 traveler information system was launched across the state of Nebraska in October 2001 8 Eight states from Alaska to Maine pooled resources and expertise to develop the 511 voice activated phone service for travelers Led by the Iowa DOT the multi state consortium received 700 000 from the Federal Highway Administration to help pay for system design and software development Each state also provided a 20 percent matching fund boosting total funds to nearly 900 000 In addition to Iowa the participating states in the consortium as of 2011 are Idaho Indiana Kentucky Louisiana Maine Minnesota New Hampshire Rhode Island Sacramento Area Council of Governments and Vermont Individual states have the lead role in coordinating 511 deployments National leadership is provided by the 511 Deployment Coalition 9 Led by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials AASHTO and including travel information experts from more than 30 organizations the Coalition has developed voluntary guidelines for state transportation agencies to follow when planning 511 service for their states or regions Other leading member organizations of the Coalition include the American Public Transportation Association APTA the Intelligent Transportation Society of America ITS America and the U S Department of Transportation Active systems edit Active 511 systems in order of deployment date citation needed as of January 31 2010 Ohio Nebraska Utah Hawaii 10 Virginia Arizona Orlando Florida Minnesota Washington state Iowa South Dakota Kentucky statewide Los Angeles and Southern California San Francisco Bay Area Montana Vermont North Dakota Alaska Maine New Hampshire Oregon Kansas North Carolina Sacramento California and Northern California Tampa Florida Colorado Rhode Island Florida statewide except for the southwest region Idaho Wyoming Tennessee Nevada Jacksonville Florida Louisiana San Diego Southwestern Florida St Louis Missouri California Eastern Sierra Georgia Eastern Massachusetts New Jersey New Mexico Nova Scotia New York Wisconsin Inland Empire California Pennsylvania Maryland West Virginia California edit San Francisco edit nbsp The logo on a road sign nbsp FasTrak antennae that poll vehicle transponders to collect data used to generate 511 org traffic information San FranciscoPreceded in 1996 by TravInfo 11 12 and 817 1717 13 14 15 16 travelers in the San Francisco Bay Area can use the 5 1 1 phone service access transit and traffic information on a Web site 511 org which provides information on mass transit schedules and an interactive trip planner which will provide an optimal routing between a given origin destination and optional time constraints In addition 511 org provides information on bicycling ridesharing and the toll road system FasTrak 511 org 17 is a service of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission 18 and was designed by the transportation engineering company PB Farradyne 19 a division of Parsons Brinckerhoff Quade amp Douglas 18 later Telvent Farradyne 20 The system had a fair amount of controversy when it was announced that it would use FasTrak electronic toll tags to track vehicles as they traversed Bay Area freeways 21 511 has since stopped using FasTrak toll tag data to provide driving times 22 Driving times are now derived from GPS probe vehicle based traffic speed data that 511 purchases from INRIX Inc 23 In 2006 the Bay Area s transit coordinator signed an 11 million four year contract with defense contractor Science Applications International Corporation to operate the local 511 system 24 San Diego edit Users of the San Diego area have access to road transit and other information via the phone and Web They can access transit information on a Web site 25 which provides information on mass transit schedules and an interactive trip planner which will provide an optimal routing between a given origin destination and optional time constraints In addition 511sd com provides information on bicycling ridesharing and the toll road system Fastrak 511sd com is a service of the San Diego Association of Governments and was designed by the company ICx Technologies and PB Farradyne now Telvent Farradyne 20 Florida edit Florida has an active 511 system that underwent an overhaul in 2009 Central Florida is claimed to have the most used 511 system in the nation on a per capita basis 26 Georgia edit This statewide Georgia Navigator system provides traffic MARTA GRTA and other public transport rideshare Clean Air Campaign Atlanta and Savannah airport Amtrak Greyhound weather and tourism information in an interactive voice response IVR format Callers are also given the option of connecting to live operators at the Georgia Department of Transportation s Transportation Management Center in Atlanta Connecting to operators allows users to report traffic accidents to the Georgia State Patrol or local police or sheriffs or request motorist assistance from the Highway Emergency Response Operators HERO program Callers can also connect to adjacent states 5 1 1 systems including North Carolina s In January 2011 the Georgia Department of Transportation launched a mobile application on the iPhone platform to provide iPhone users with a mobile option for up to the minute traffic information found on the website The application also provides special offers and other information about businesses and organizations who participate in the program Georgia actually had a system for years before this using only live operators and the code DOT 368 which could not necessarily be used by those mobile phone users who were roaming from elsewhere as these codes are specific to each phone company A local 404 number in metro Atlanta and a toll free 800 number were used for these and landline calls and still serve as backup for mobile providers that fail to connect 27 Kentucky edit In Kentucky 511 services cover traffic and weather conditions and can also be heard on the radio on the AM dial the Travelers Information Station and at 511 ky gov 28 New Hampshire edit The New Hampshire Department of Transportation NHDOT has implemented a service that helps commuters and travelers access information regarding weather related road conditions construction and congestion via the Web or mobile device 24 7 The site can be found at ww38 511nh com New Hampshire is part of an 8 state consortium that is sharing the cost to design and develop the system 29 New York edit 511 New York is established and administered by the New York State Department of Transportation NYSDOT Basic service was launched in the New York City metropolitan area in late 2008 Statewide coverage and more sophisticated services will be added throughout 2009 511 NY Get Connected to Go is the umbrella brand of The New York State Department of Transportation for traffic transit and travel information The 511 New York theme line is Get Connected to Go The tag line is New York State s Official Traffic and Travel Info Source The credit line is A Free Service of the New York State Department of Transportation In the New York metropolitan area 5 1 1 provides information on bus subway and commuter rail mass transit systems in addition to road conditions and traffic information Pennsylvania edit Pennsylvania s statewide 511 launched on September 1 2009 The system provides up to date information on all the states interstate highways 30 Tennessee edit Implemented in August 2006 Tennessee travelers have the option of accessing road and travel conditions at TN511 com 31 or through the 511 phone service Virginia edit The FCC designated 511 as the national traveler information number Virginia s 511 system began in the Shenandoah Valley in 2000 and went statewide in early 2005 32 Currently both the 511virginia org website and calling 511 from any land line or mobile phone provides statewide travelling information Alternatively there is now a 511 VDOT app for iOS and Android devices West Virginia edit The West Virginia Department of Transportation s WVDOT free 511 Traveler Information System provides real time traffic information including congestion construction lane closures road conditions and severe weather information on all West Virginia interstates and other major highways The resource is available 24 hours a day via phone by dialing 511 or online at WV511 org WV 511 advisories also are available from the WV 511 Drive Safe mobile app and via statewide regional and roadway specific Twitter feeds The public safety alerts such as Amber Alerts and Silver Alerts carried on 511 are voluntary cooperative partnerships among law enforcement WVDOT other agencies and local broadcasters WVDOT uses overhead electronic message signs and 511 to get public safety alerts out to the public 511 was implemented in West Virginia in 2012 33 Wyoming edit In the summer of 2007 the original vendor was removed and services were redesigned and improved using Meridian Environmental Technology 34 The effort to redesign and improve service undertaken summer of 2007 to revamp WYDOT s 511 Travel Information telephone service is paying benefits this winter based on recent customer feedback 35 Some of the additional features are Ability to choose neighboring states that provide 511 information Voice recognition with the option to revert to touchtone keypad input Ability to choose route specific information or regional summaries Agency capability to include Alerts Amber Homeland customized Similar services in the United States edit The Minnesota Department of Transportation operates a website for traffic and road condition information Discontinuing services edit Washington edit The Washington State Department of Transportation launched the state s 511 service in July 2003 36 On April 24 2023 the WSDOT announced that it would deactivate the 511 telephone number within the state on May 19 of that year citing declining usage attributed to the use of smartphones and GPS navigation old technology and cost 37 38 In Canada editImplementation edit The Intelligent Transportation Systems Society of Canada ITS Canada has brought together a consortium the Canada 511 Consortium 39 to help get 5 1 1 service established in Canada In January 2005 the consortium filed an application to assign the 5 1 1 access code in Canada It proposed that in addition to traffic the number would report weather which also has a major impact on traffic particularly in a country with such harsh winters The application was approved by the CRTC in Canada on July 28 2006 40 41 In March 2007 an article in Computing Canada said it was up to each individual province whether or not to launch a 5 1 1 system but that not all provinces were eager to proceed 42 In May 2008 an article in IT World Canada claimed that the 5 1 1 initiative appears to have lost momentum 43 British Columbia began loose implementation of 5 1 1 service in late 2009 early 2010 This replaced the interim mobile service provided by 4997 HWYS which had been in place on Rogers Telus Mobility and Bell Mobility BC 5 1 1 service was available to Telus Telus Mobility and Telus MiKE clients as of 2010 Full service NOT utilizing 5 1 1 is available via DriveBC a government website phone line at www drivebc ca or by phone across North America at 1 800 550 4997 HWYS Alberta unveiled its 5 1 1 road report service on February 4 2013 44 In Saskatchewan 5 1 1 redirects to 888 335 7623 which is the Highways Hotline a Provincial phone information system with highway weather and impassibility information The Implementation date is Unknown Active systems edit Alberta 45 Manitoba 46 Ontario 47 48 49 Quebec 47 New Brunswick 50 Nova Scotia 51 Prince Edward Island 52 and the Yukon Territory 53 each have 5 1 1 systems Most provinces and territories without 5 1 1 systems have other road information hotlines accessible by dialing various phone numbers 54 References edit 511wi Home 511wi gov Archived from the original on April 27 2012 Retrieved May 23 2012 Aultman Hall Lisa December 1999 Evaluation of ARTIMIS Telephone Information System PDF Report No KTC 99 66 ECFS 511 Guidelines Version 3 0 PDF September 2005 p 5 Archived from the original PDF on March 17 2007 Retrieved April 7 2007 FCC designates 511 traffic information number Civil Engineering 70 9 12 September 2000 Deployment Assistance Report 5 Public Transportation Content on 511 Services PDF 511 Deployment Coalition June 2003 Retrieved January 9 2021 International City County Management Association 511 Deployment Status Archived September 21 2008 at the Wayback Machine USDOT Retrieved on March 3 2008 Nebraska 511 Information Archived March 3 2016 at the Wayback Machine USDOT Retrieved on June 12 2009 Deploy511 org Deploy511 org Archived from the original on May 23 2012 Retrieved May 23 2012 Phone Upgrades Archived from the original on February 4 2015 Retrieved February 4 2015 511 to Provide One Stop Shopping Hacienda Pulse September 17 2002 Retrieved January 9 2021 In the Bay Area and Tri Valley Area the Metropolitan Transportation Commission MTC is the transportation planning coordinating and financing agency and hence is the agency that will be implementing 511 EXAMINER GRAPHICS October 1 1996 USING TravInfo freeway monitoring system SFGATE Hearst Retrieved January 9 2021 The TravInfo freeway monitoring system collects and distributes instantaneous traffic information for highways around the Bay Area PHONE 817 1717 from any area code Goll David September 8 2000 Transit leaders seal 38M TravInfo deal East Bay Business Times American City Business Journals Inc Archived from the original on March 9 2006 Retrieved January 9 2021 PB Farradyne reached an agreement with the Oakland based Metropolitan Transportation Commission to operate and eventually expand Trav Info a real time traffic and transit information source PB Farradyne is a division of New York based Parsons Brinckerhoff Inc the nation s largest transportation design firm The MTC which handles transportation planning and financing for the nine county Bay Area established TravInfo in 1996 along with the California Department of Transportation and the California Highway Patrol Michael Berman MTC s TravInfo project manager Koo Ronald Miller Mark A Hall Randolph Yim Youngbin September 1998 TravInfo Evaluation Traveler Response Element TravInfo 817 1717 Caller Study Phase 1 Results UC Berkeley California Partners for Advanced Transportation Technology CiteSeerX 10 1 1 534 2774 Program Organization TravInfo MTC December 31 1997 Archived from the original on December 7 1998 Retrieved January 9 2021 Project Partners TravInfo MTC November 11 1998 Archived from the original on December 6 1998 Retrieved January 9 2021 511 org 511 org May 10 2012 Archived from the original on May 22 2012 Retrieved May 23 2012 a b Who is Involved TravInfo Metropolitan Transportation Commission August 6 2002 Archived from the original on August 6 2002 Retrieved January 9 2021 Metropolitan Transportation Commission California Highway Patrol Caltrans PB Farradyne PBF is a division of Parsons Brinckerhoff Quade amp Douglas PB Farradyne PB Farradyne Parsons Brinckerhoff April 2 2002 Archived from the original on April 2 2002 Retrieved January 9 2021 a b Telvent Farradyne corporate site 2006 Archived from the original on November 18 2006 Retrieved November 15 2006 FasTrak Application and License Agreement Archived May 3 2014 at the Wayback Machine Toll Tags section last subsection You agree that the Toll Tag may be read to provide anonymous traffic flow data to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission s 511 project a real time traffic information service No information identifying a FasTrak account person or vehicle using the Toll Tag will be collected by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission or 511 Privacy Archived from the original on February 14 2014 Retrieved August 22 2014 Inrix Partners Expanding Archived from the original on August 26 2014 Retrieved January 15 2017 San Francisco re ups SAIC unit for 511 October 2006 Archived from the original on September 28 2007 Retrieved March 15 2007 511 San Diego Region Archived from the original on February 17 2008 Retrieved June 21 2007 Central Florida 511 system nation s most used Orlando Business Journal August 4 2006 Archived from the original on May 25 2011 Retrieved November 15 2006 Dial 511 for transportation information The Atlanta Journal Constitution August 15 2007 Retrieved August 15 2006 dead link 511 ky gov 511 ky gov Archived from the original on May 29 2012 Retrieved May 23 2012 About 511 New Hampshire Department of Transportation Archived from the original on January 2 2011 Retrieved March 16 2011 Post gazette com Post gazette com March 16 2012 Archived from the original on June 4 2011 Retrieved May 23 2012 TN511 com TN511 com Archived from the original on May 25 2012 Retrieved May 23 2012 511virginia org 511virginia org Archived from the original on August 7 2013 Retrieved August 7 2013 West Virginia 511 Know Before You Go West Virginia Department of Transportation Archived from the original on April 8 2015 Retrieved May 10 2015 WYDOT suspends 511 to make service improvements Wyoming DOT News July 3 2007 Archived from the original on April 22 2007 Revamped 511 Travel Information service increases customer satisfaction Wyoming DOT News February 11 2008 permanent dead link FHWA 511 Travel Information Telephone Services Washington State 511 Information ops fhwa dot gov Retrieved May 9 2023 The WSDOT Blog Washington State Department of Transportation Deactivating the 511 Phone Number and tools to use instead to stay informed The WSDOT Blog Washington State Department of Transportation April 24 2023 Retrieved May 9 2023 WSDOT says goodbye to 511 as it shuts down WA travel info phone line The Seattle Times April 25 2023 Retrieved May 9 2023 ITS Canada Project 511 Intelligent Transportation Systems Society of Canada Archived from the original on July 4 2010 Retrieved June 14 2010 ITS Canada has initiated an effort to establish the 511 telephone number as an automated weather and traveller information service number in Canada ITS Canada has developed a Canada 511 Consortium Canadian Radio television and Telecommunications Commission July 28 2006 Telecom Decision CRTC 006 44 Applications for assignment of the 5 1 1 access code Government of Canada Archived from the original on August 21 2006 Retrieved November 15 2006 CRTC Assigns 511 for Weather and Traveller Information ITS Canada Newsletter Intelligent Transportation Systems Society of Canada August 2006 Archived from the original on July 6 2011 Retrieved June 13 2010 On July 28 2006 the Canada Radio television and Telecommunications Commission CRTC announced the assignment of the three digit dialing code 511 for weather and traveller information in Canada culminating over two years of work by ITS Canada and other members of the Canada 511 Consortium Sibley Kathleen March 2 2007 Road to national 511 service is littered with speed bumps Computing Canada 33 3 ISSN 0319 0161 Archived from the original on September 28 2011 Retrieved June 13 2010 That s because while Environment Canada is spearheading the weather information service the other portion is the responsibility of the provinces not all of whom have the same interest in or resources to participate in the project And that say experts could leave a good part of the undertaking in the ditch Lombardi Rosie May 20 2008 511 service off to slow start in Canada IT World Canada Archived from the original on March 21 2012 Retrieved June 13 2010 But the initiative appears to have lost momentum Alberta set to launch new 511 service Archived from the original on February 16 2013 Retrieved February 4 2013 Alberta s provincial government is set to unveil its new 511 road report service on Monday Alberta road conditions road reports and traffic cams Archived from the original on September 2 2014 Manitoba 511 Road and Traveller Information Archived from the original on December 10 2014 a b What other services come with my Cogeco Home Phone service Cogeco Home Phone FAQ Cogeco Cable Inc Archived from the original on December 7 2010 Retrieved June 24 2010 511 is a quick way to contact the Ontario Ministry of Transportation From this line you can obtain traffic weather and road condition reports across the province Home Phone Service Distributel Communications Ltd website Archived from the original on June 30 2010 Retrieved June 24 2010 5 1 1 is a free service that allows callers to find out about road conditions report transportation incidents make comments or complaints and obtain other general information pertaining to transportation 5 1 1 is available in Ontario and Quebec and is intended for non emergency inquiries Click either of the Available services tabs to see the original quoted text Ontario 511 About Ontario 511 MTO Government of Ontario Archived from the original on May 19 2014 Retrieved May 19 2014 Ontario 511 is an Ontario Ministry of Transportation telephone service that provides the public with voice activated hands free information on provincial highways Road closures Winter road conditions and Construction projects Traffic Advisories Road Construction Report New Brunswick Department of Transportation website Archived from the original on June 16 2010 Retrieved June 24 2010 For Road Conditions Dial 511 within New Brunswick Road Conditions 511 Nova Scotia Department of Transportation amp Infrastructure Renewal website Archived from the original on January 16 2013 Retrieved December 10 2012 Prince Edward Island to introduce 511 system Prince Edward Island Department of Transportation amp Infrastructure Renewal website Archived from the original on May 20 2014 Retrieved December 10 2012 Transportation amp Travel Information Town of Faro website Archived from the original on March 1 2012 Retrieved June 24 2010 Dial 511 from any touch tone phone in the Yukon for the current road report Luebke Bruce A Road Conditions and Construction Information Drivers Daily Log website Archived from the original on September 23 2010 Retrieved June 13 2010 This list below provides phone number and Web site information by state for road conditions and road construction forecasts in the United States and Canada External links editRegion specific 511 sites edit Alberta Arizona California Greater Los Angeles Area California Sacramento Area California San Diego Area Archived February 17 2008 at the Wayback Machine California San Francisco Bay Area California San Luis Obispo County Florida Florida Jacksonville Florida Area Florida Southeast Florida Area Georgia Hawaii Idaho Indiana Iowa Kansas Archived September 28 2007 at the Wayback Machine Kentucky Louisiana Maryland Massachusetts Minnesota Montana New Jersey New York Nebraska Nevada North Carolina North Dakota Northern New England New Hampshire Archived November 20 2008 at the Wayback Machine Northern New England Vermont Ohio Oregon Pennsylvania Quebec South Carolina South Dakota Archived March 3 2008 at the Wayback Machine Tennessee Utah Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Archived April 27 2012 at the Wayback Machine General information edit Federal Highway Administration 511 website a source of official information 511 Deployment Coalition a United States 511 advocacy group Canadian 511 related news updates Contact info for the Canada 511 Consortium Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title 5 1 1 amp oldid 1211481113, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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