Do you use the 511 System?

I am interested in your experiences with the 511 - Traffic Information Service that exists (in theory) throughout the USA. In some places, like the San Francisco Bay area, one can get access to some pretty sophisticated data. Here in Las Vegas, the information seems pretty limited.

Here was a response from Moderator Bob:
I haven't used it in other states yet, but I have used it here in Arizona more than once and received up-to-date information on highway conditions that proved valuable (calls are routed to ADOT). Last week, I called to see how the fires were affecting traffic on I-17 as I left for my Utah trip. You seem to have to inquire specifically about each road you are interested in -- I didn't notice that there was an "alert" system for closures (such as the unexpected one I discovered for SR264 at Tuba City). Maybe there is and I just wasn't listening for that option, or even if AZ doesn't have that feature, perhaps other states do. Anyway, I use it and like it. I'll have to call back and see if they do have that "alert" notification option

If you dial 511 in your home town -- I would really like to know kinds of road condition information is available to you. And further, whether or not this is a help or a hinderance on the road.

Thanks,

Mark

I checked back today to see if the Arizona version of this program has an overall alert notification system that would list all closures or restrictions -- it does not. You have to request information on the specific roads you are interested in. I asked today about the closure on SR264 I mentioned in my first response, and it stated the exact location and when it would re-open.

For Arizona, 5-1-1 also provides information on transit systems, airports, specific metro regions (Phoenix and Tucson probably) and also has a link to the State's Tourism Office.

It is easy to use from the road from the standpoint that you navigate the system using voice commands -- but that may also be a problem as it seems to be very background-noise sensitive. Even just moving your fingers on the handset or breathing noise seems to confuse it. At least it did today -- or perhaps my connection was not optimum. Bob

Even though I have a network of people at work I could call upon at any time to find road conditions, I'd rather not tie up the lines with my road inquiries.

I have found that the AZ 511 system is more than helpful. At times though, the voice activated system can be a blessing and a hendrance. A blessing because if I am driving and need info regarding a situation ahead of me, it allows me to get the info without having to look at my phone, thus making it a bit safer. It can also be a hendrance because if there are any other noises around, or you do not enunciate clearly, your choices can be misread, and this can make a caller very frustrated (I have been in that situation myself).

I have also used 511 up in Washington via my AZ based cell (apparantly they have updated the system since I moved down, because it used to be that if you were calling from an out of state number, it wouldn't go through) while my parents were driving me back to Sea-Tac from Wenatchee via US2. We got into the Puget Sound area and wanted to find out if the 405 was clear. Washington's system uses both voice and tone menues, which is nice when you are a passenger. I could press what option I wanted, rather than make everyone be very quiet.

Needless to say, 511 is on speed dial, whether my roadtrip is just to the grocery store, cross country, or back to the airport after a lazy weekend in good ol' Washington.

(I do think though that there should be a option to connect to a live operator regarding non-highway conditions, but at the same time, it might be more of a problem...)

Well, there's my 411 on the 511!
-Brad M.

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Originally Posted by Cascadia4-brad m

Even though I have a network of people at work I could call upon at any time to find road conditions, I'd rather not tie up the lines with my road inquiries.

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You do have an insider access!

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I have found that the AZ 511 system is more than helpful. At times though, the voice activated system can be a blessing and a hendrance. A blessing because if I am driving and need info regarding a situation ahead of me, it allows me to get the info without having to look at my phone, thus making it a bit safer. It can also be a hendrance because if there are any other noises around, or you do not enunciate clearly, your choices can be misread, and this can make a caller very frustrated (I have been in that situation myself).

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Well, that is two thumbs-up for the Arizona system. Personally, when I have tested it in California and Nevada, it drives me slightly insane because of the lack of detailed info. But I am very happy to learn new tricks of the road and thank you for this intel.

Mark

In the past, I've only used it when I've been traveling over the passes and want to know about chains, etc. So today I played with it. Here in WA, as Brad said, you can do the voice menu or press numbers. On my cellphone connection, I had no problems with the voice menu even with my radio playing in the background.

Like Bob mentioned, you have to ask about each specific road. Quite often, it will also ask you to clarify which area of road. For example, I wanted to know road conditions on Hwy 12 and it asked me if I meant on the Western or Eastern portion. When I asked about traffic conditions on I-5, I had to specificy north-bound or south-bond or HOV lane north-bound or HOV lane south-bond. I think it's cool that it gets that specific but, at the same time, it would be frustrating if you have several roads to check.

I wish it did have some kind of "list all driving alerts" option so you could just choose that and listen for anything on your route but I couldn't find that option if it was there.

Anyway, here's all the options they list:
* Washington State Ferries
* Traffic Incidents (must select specific road)
* Traffic Congestion, mainly for the great King County area (must select specific road)
* Mountain Pass
* Express Lane
* Public Transit phone numbers
* Passenger Rail phone numbers
* Airline phone numbers
* Travel info (to get info from surrounding states and provinces)
* Weather

To be honest, I hadn't realized there was that much information available on this number. I've added it to my speed dial and will be using it more often! Thanks for bringing this service to my attention.

I know this thread was for American posters but I'll add my 2 cents. I've used it once here, I wanted to know how the traffic was in Montreal. It said that all the bridges were loaded (duh)... It worked pretty well but I never called back because the bridges are always like parking lots in Montreal any time of the day;-) Montreal is the only city where you get traffic, Quebec City traffic only lasts ½ hour because all the govt employees work from 8 to 4. However, some people I know use the 511 function regularly and they all seem to enjoy that feature.

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Originally Posted by Gen

I know this thread was for American posters but I'll add my 2 cents.

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Nope, this is an info gathering thread -- and you have the information I want.

I have actually learned about a new wrinkle being implemented in California that is kind of cool. There are sensors imbedded in the roadways on certain key highways that measure changes in the electrical voltage that is triggered when vehicles pass over them (which establish vehicle speeds). This data is then sent to central computers that provide information on how heavy the congestion is. A visual example of this can be seen by looking at the freeways and other highways in the San Diego area. The same system is in place in the San Francisco bay area and includes a little program that estimates travel time between two points, (on-ramps and exits).

The San Diego 511 system also allows callers to locate the specific locations of buses and trains using GPS equipment mounted in the vehicles. Another version of this GPS-related traffic-tracking system is in place in parts of Riverside and San Bernardino, Los Angeles, and Ventura counties. What I like about this system, is that the little black icons (on the maps) indicate road-cam camera locations and one can see the current conditions at hundreds of locations.

Have you used it yet?

Mark

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Originally Posted by Editor

I have actually learned about a new wrinkle being implemented in California that is kind of cool. There are sensors imbedded in the roadways on certain key highways that measure changes in the electrical voltage that is triggered when vehicles pass over them (which establish vehicle speeds). This data is then sent to central computers that provide information on how heavy the congestion is. A visual example of this can be seen by looking at the freeways and other highways in the San Diego area. The same system is in place in the San Francisco bay area and includes a little program that estimates travel time between two points, (on-ramps and exits).

Mark

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Two websites, www.az511.com and www.traffic.com actually use similar technologies. Arizona's is a little more primitive. Our speed sensors, as far as I know, consist of sensors laid into the pavement, and sonic sensors, which utilize a sort of echo radar to determine how fast vehicles were traveling.

Both also let you get detailed info (via the web only) on accidents both on and off major freeways. The AZ 511 site also lets you click and read the displays on any active electronic signs placed on highways. Which is nice because you can click and see if they are telling drivers ON the freeway if there is flooding, ice, etc.

Traffic.com also includes estimated travel times between set points such as interchanges. (traffic.com serves many major cities nation wide, including Seattle, etc.)

Unfortunately, they haven't come up with a system here letting me locate the exact location of busses (cause I'd use it daily... I am a temporary transit rider!).

Unfortunately, all we get with our traffic cams are still images, usually several minutes old.

Brad M.

I tried to use 511 out of where I was staying in Fredericksburg, VA, but all I received was an error message. FWIW, this was on an assumption as I didn't see any signs posted that there actually was 511 in this area, though it is a bedroom community for Washington, DC.

As an aside, has anyone ever gotten useful information from those AM 1610 traffic advisories...before being in the situation that caused the sign to light up?

Everytime I turn to 1610, I just get a recorded message telling me to keep listening for updates. I guess I've been lucky to never be traveling when something road-worthy is going on?

They are all over Washington it seems, and the only useful info I ever got from those is when they turn the WSDOT station on near Dryden for traveler information for Blewit and Stevens Passes.

The bad thing is that they are at such low power that they for the most part useless.

Phoenix doesn't need 'em... we've got Detour Dan!

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Originally Posted by Cascadia4-brad m

Phoenix doesn't need 'em... we've got Detour Dan!

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Of course, you've now piqued my curiousity. Who he?

Detour Dan... local radio traffic guru... He flys the traffic plane for 98.7 The Peak and KTAR AM radio. He's a nut to listen to in the morning and the evening. He always knows EVERY detour (even "incomplete" dirt roads such as Nor Terra Parkway that runs North/South between I 17 and the only major NS road in the area thats paved- Cave Creek Road).
You can listen to 98.7 The Peak (70s, 80s, 90s, 2ks) on the web free, including our very own Detour Dan.

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He always knows EVERY detour (even "incomplete" dirt roads such as Nor Terra Parkway that runs North/South between I 17 and the only major NS road in the area thats paved- Cave Creek Road).

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OK, I've lived here 50 years and grew up driving the streets of Phoenix! I've never heard of "Nor Terra Parkway." I-17 runs north/south, Cave Creek Road runs north/south, and you say Nor Terra Parkway runs north/south? So I don't see how these roads can possibly connect, if they are all north/south...

So, where exactly is this magical road? :) I think Detour Dan is pulling someone's leg!

I may have stated it a little funny. All three run N/S, and this is the closest N/S road to I 17 without having to go ALL THE WAY out to cave creek rd, thus getting you around any accidents on I 17.

If you whip out that map book, Bob, find your way to exit 218 on I 17, thats at happy valley road. Nor Terra Parkway runs north from Happy Valley rd (N 23rd Ave runs south from Happy Valley Road). It's not completely paved, from what I know it is unpaved for a mile or two before it turns into 27th ave and connects to the carefree highway. Other than the little dirt stretch, it's apparantly the best detour around accidents between Happy Valley Road and Carefree Highway.

Got it! That makes more sense to me. Bob

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Originally Posted by TimboTA

I tried to use 511 out of where I was staying in Fredericksburg, VA, but all I received was an error message. FWIW, this was on an assumption as I didn't see any signs posted that there actually was 511 in this area, though it is a bedroom community for Washington, DC.

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Tim, Thanks for that field report.

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As an aside, has anyone ever gotten useful information from those AM 1610 traffic advisories...before being in the situation that caused the sign to light up?

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I have checked a number of times in a several states -- rarely have I received info that was helpful. Which is why I always carry a CB radio (hand-held if not installed).

Mark

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Originally Posted by Editor

I am interested in your experiences with the 511 - Traffic Information Service that exists (in theory) throughout the USA.

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Bob Schaller's comments about the 511 system in Arizona appeared in a New York Times article this week.

Cool....great job, Bob!

Darn. I know I should have copyrighted the phrase "the 411 on 511" since using it as the subject title for a link on AAA Arizona's Internal Internet, but alas, it wasn't ment to be.
I'm actually surprised Bob hasn't been quotithed (don't ask) more.

PS- another site you have to register to do anything on. Sigh... but, I'll do it for Bob.....(PPS- And Mark! Good Job. I sure hope your servers are ready, 'cause the traffic caused by such an article could cause a "5 car pile-up on the RTA exit of the Information Super Highway"), and I'm sure they are.

If you read the article, you'll see that both Mark and I are quoted -- so it's a RoadTrip America "family affair."

I took a little bow, right here by my PC! I have to admit, I printed the article off and showed it around the house to the other inhabitants. My Mom was impressed, but my dog just yawned and begged for a treat. Nothing like Man's best friend to keep a guy humbled!

If I get a chance on my upcoming roadtrip (next week), I'll check out the usefulness of the 5-1-1 system in some of the other western states I pass through.

NYTimes Bob

There is a pretty good website with links for all of the major road traffic and conditions page that I use. Here is that page.

Mark