5-1-1
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.
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.
DOT) petitioned the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to designate a nationwide three-digit telephone number for traveler information.
[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.
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.
Active 511 systems (in order of deployment date)[citation needed] as of January 31, 2010: 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.
[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.
[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.
[26] 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.
[27] 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] 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.
511 NY – "Get Connected to Go" is the umbrella brand of The New York State Department of Transportation for traffic, transit and travel information.
[32] Currently both the 511virginia.org website and calling 511 from any land line or mobile phone provides statewide travelling information.
[35] Some of the additional features are: The Minnesota Department of Transportation operates a website for traffic and road condition information.
[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.
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.
