RICHMOND, Feb. 15, 2006 – “A very successful first year.” Those are the observations made by Connie Sorrell, VDOT chief of system operations, in regard to the first anniversary of the 511 Virginia travel service. On February 15, 2005 the Virginia Department of Transportation launched its statewide phone and Web service, which features real-time traffic and travel information. Travelers can dial 511 or visit the Web site at www.511Virginia.org.

The phone service received its one millionth call in December, and now averages approximately 110,000 calls per month. The Web service received over 40,000 unique hits in December.

Virginia travelers have dialed up 511 usage during many incidents including the July 7 day-long tie-up on I-95 involving a tractor trailer HAZMAT accident, major lane closures on the Woodrow Wilson Bridge and other incidents. These situations pushed 511 phone usage up to 161,690 calls in July. Thanksgiving travelers dialed in 37,808 times from Wednesday through Sunday over the holiday period. Winter weather in December saw 5,856 calls on December 5, 8,186 calls on December 9 and 13,995 calls on December 15.

Information for over 5,500 miles of Virginia roadway is available on 511, including real-time lane closures for construction and incidents and weather. The first year produced an improved simplified menu condensing construction and incident information. The Web site was revised to show active and inactive work zones. Callers are unlikely to receive busy signals thanks to the addition of 144 phone lines, producing a robust capacity of 264 total lines with an additional 96 call overflow que. Each line can handle a single call. Most calls are under two minutes.

In August, 55 roads were added to the system, bringing total roads covered by 511 Virginia to 98. The system now offers traffic and travel information on every mile of interstate and many U.S. and state routes. Also that month, Verizon included 511 in its switching service, allowing Verizon wireless customers to access the service by dialing 511.

On February 13, the www.511Virignia.org Web site launched email alerts, where site visitors can create a free account and select which roadways and what time of day they want for email or text message traffic alerts. The email alerts are free, although users requesting text messaging may incur charges, depending on their service provider agreement.

“As a result of Virginia’s 511 users’ feedback, VDOT is constantly evaluating changes to enhance the system to include advances in the latest technology,” said Sorrell. “We seek ways to improve and make the service more practical for travelers in our state. For example, we recently added an e-mail and text message feature that will automatically alert individuals when system information is updated for their specific travel routes. Later in February VDOT anticipates adding bridge and tunnel information to 511.”

Prior to 2005, the 511 Virginia service was available along the I-81 corridor and was previously called Travel Shenandoah. Virginia is one of 24 states to offer a 511 service. That number continues to grow and by 2010, 511 service is expected to be available across the country. To learn more about 511 Virginia, visit www.511Virginia.org.

Page last modified: Feb. 15, 2006