The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LDOTD) and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) have both recently updated their respective 511 travel information systems.
LDOTD updated its 511la.org system to allow visitors to create customized routes and to include traffic data from Waze and Google. The agency also added a mobile application that provides for “hands-free and eyes-free” audio notifications.
“During the recent historic flooding events of March and August, we saw how much more important it was for the public to have road closure and road condition information,” DOTD Secretary Shawn D. Wilson says. “As DOTD continues to provide travelers with the most accurate and up-to-date information, through advancing technology, these tools will also prove beneficial for travelers who use this data on a day-to-day basis to plan their commutes and make travel-related decisions.”
Details on the 511la.org system enhancements include:
Personalized travel information
Users can create an account on 511la.org and then set up a customized route by following the steps listed on this page. Users can receive text or email alerts when traffic-related events occur on their custom route. To get started, go to 511la.org and click on the “Your 511” link.
Waze and Google data
This enhancement incorporates Waze crowdsourced traffic alerts. This is information that is updated directly by citizens to Waze and now shared automatically on 511la.org. The 511la.org website also includes a layer that offers the Google Traffic and Incident data which provides current traffic congestion information for motorists to use for making informed travel decisions.
Mobile 511 application
This new Louisiana 511 app, which replaces DOTD’s Way to Geaux traffic data app, is available on iOS and Android smartphones. It will provide hands-free, eyes-free audio notifications when users choose the “tell me” feature. There is a zoom-enabled 511la.org map that allows users to choose from several layers, including traffic speeds, road conditions and construction sites. Additionally, users can live stream the traffic cameras that are available on 511la.org.
Enhanced 511 phone system
The new phone feature will allow users to sign up and automatically be recognized by their phone number when calling the 511 phone system. Users can save up to 20 routes and follow a voice prompt to access the latest information on any of the saved routes.
FDOT’s FL511.com updates include an upgrade to the website to a responsive and mobile-friendly design and a “My Cameras” feature in the driving directions section. Also included are weather information and forecasts with active watches, warnings or advisories and week-long forecasts with project temperatures and precipitation chances.
FDOT also has added a new mobile app featuring turn-by-turn directions with real-time traffic updates and alternate routes. The agency also has created simpler call navigation on its new phone system.
