America’s traveler information network—a smart call

Posted by Bill on Monday, August 4, 2008   |   No Comments

You’ve heard of 911, the standard number for emergencies. There is also 411 for telephone directory assistance. And to get connected with human services agencies, dial 211. But you may be less familiar with 511.

The 511 number is America’s traveler information telephone number. But don’t get too excited. It has a long way to go to meet its full potential. In fact, it’s not even available in some states, including several in the Midwest. Still, the possibilities are enormous, and there is keen interest in spreading the service to every state.

Public and private enterprises have invested millions in what’s called Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) with the goal of improving safety, enhancing mobility and speeding the movement of freight to its destination. Giving travelers access to traffic data through one nationwide, three-digit number is a way to maximize the return on the huge investment already made.

The U. S. Department of Transportation appealed to the Federal Trade Commission in 1999 to set up a nationwide three-digit number for traveler information. Seventeen state DOTs supported the request, along with more than 30 transit operators and about two dozen metro planning organizations and local agencies. Official designation of the 511 number came in July of 2000. However, implementation procedures fell to state and local agencies. What’s more, there was no provision made to pay for the 511 network.

We often find the Midwest leading in the pack in these situations. But not this time. As of April 2008, only ND, SD, NE, KA, MN and IA had 511 activity. Usage varies widely from month to month, and winter weather almost certainly plays a role in call volume. For example, here are usage stats for three consecutive months in 2008.

February—4,232,197 calls
March—3,008,153 calls
April—2,002,967 calls

Since the establishment of the 511 system, almost 110 million callers have accessed the system. As of April 2008 (the latest month for which data is available) travelers had placed more than one million calls for 44 consecutive months. Service over the 511 system was available to nearly half of the U.S. population (47% or about 128 million citizens) and almost 3% (about one million) Canadian residents.

The good news is that another 18% of the U.S. is expected to gain access to 511 service by the end of 2008. Scheduled for deployment in 2008 are Michigan neighbors WI, IL, MO and IN. According to the Deployment Coalition, Michigan is one of a handful of states seeking 511 planning assistance grants. So when the service will be available here is unknown at this point.

Although 511 is currently not available in Michigan, it has been active for some time in other sections of the nation. According to World Travelers of America, there are more than 30 state and regional 511 systems helping travelers in 25 states right now.

“By 2012, drivers will be able to get real-time traffic updates coast-to-coast by dialing 511. Depending on the driver’s location, they will be connected to the 511 service in the region or state in which they are traveling.” The site also lists the Internet addresses and telephone numbers of the currently active 511 systems.

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