Traffic congestion and the lack of a mass-transit alternative are two of the most critical issues affecting our region, according to myregion.org’s Transportation workshop participants. No other issue seemed to have more immediate regional impact than transportation as government, business, institutional leaders and citizens voiced their opinions and concerns at the two sessions of Community Issues Workshops held this year.

Will our gridlock create a “detour” on our road to prosperity? How much is it affecting the quality of life of our region? Fortunately, the region’s public and private sectors are investing millions of dollars to enhance mobility, improve safety, and speed freight to its destinations. This is a challenge the Department of Transportation is hoping to alleviate with the implementation of the 511 traffic-information line.

Everyone knows 911 is the number to call during an emergency. Dialing 411 provides callers with telephone listing information. Now, a new number—511—is available to provide useful information to travelers across the country.

On Monday, June 24, 2002, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) unveiled a 511 system for Central Florida. The voice-activated system is the first 511 Travel Information Service in the state of Florida. The service provides around-the-clock, real-time traffic and road-condition updates along the I-4 corridor from Volusia County to the attractions area west of Orlando.

Access to information can help commuters and travelers cope with the stress associated with daily trips as well as make informed decisions prior to taking a trip. Over 300 traveler information telephone numbers had proliferated nationwide to meet this need—indicating the demand for this service but fragmenting the system from region to region. The new 511 system provides an easy-to-remember, universal number.

As you can appreciate from this map (click map to enlarge) showing the traffic flow of our major highways, our region will certainly benefit from this easy-to-remember number, which may help save lives, time, and money. For example, a driver who learns that a crash has caused a traffic jam along his or her normal route may take a detour, change the time of departure, or opt for public transportation. The 511 call has not only helped the driver; it has also helped to direct traffic away from the incident. This allows easier access for emergency responders and alleviates incident-related congestion.

In general, 511 can provide information on major routes and corridors in a specific service area, with the content varying according to regional needs. Highway information could potentially include: weather and road conditions; road closures and major delays, and traffic updates. In some metropolitan areas, 511 systems may also provide information about bus, rail and transit services available in the 511 service area; connections to a customer-service center for transit schedule, route and fare information; and major disruptions or changes in scheduled service or routes. Research conducted by the Gallup Organization for the Intelligent Transportation Society of America found that 40 percent of respondents identified weather and road conditions as the most critical system component. Accident and incident reports, construction updates, and congestion levels were also listed as desirable features of a call-in service. According to transit users, information on delays is the most critical feature.

“Traffic congestion is only a fraction of a larger issue facing the state’s economic development and ability to compete in the global marketplace of the 21st century,” stated Rita Kane, Director of Operations for Orlando Bus, LTD, and Co-Chair of the Transportation Template. “myregion.org understands that transportation is more than a sum of road miles, and we are refocusing the way we deal with these issues in terms of Central Florida’s ability to compete economically,” Kane concluded.

myregion.org is looking at this and other issues of regional impact, from education to tourism to public safety. For more information about myregion.org, contact Project Director Shelley Lauten or go to www.myregion.org. To find out more about 511 or other ITS projects, contact Eric Hill, Manager of Systems Planning for METROPLAN ORLANDO, at 407.481.5672 x316 or ehill@metroplanorlando.com.