Details:

Creators:
Van Dyke, Chris ; Walton, Jennifer ; Ballinger, James
Van Dyke, Chris ; Walton, Jennifer ; Ballinger, James Less -
Corporate Creators:
University of Kentucky Transportation Center
Corporate Contributors:
Kentucky. Transportation Cabinet
Subject/TRT Terms:
[+]
Advanced Traveler Information Systems Incident Reporting Kentucky 511 Mobile Applications Mobile Traffic Apps Real-time Traffic Information System Real Time Information Traveler Information And Communication Systems Travel Information
Publication/ Report Number:
KTC-16-17/SPR16-56-2-1F
Resource Type:
Tech Report
Geographical Coverage:
Kentucky
Corporate Publisher:
University of Kentucky Transportation Center
Abstract:
After the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) petitioned the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to establish

a dedicated phone number for real-time travel information services, the abbreviated 511 dialing code was founded in July 2000. The

FCC reasoned that 511 services could reduce traffic congestion, air pollution, and the inefficient use of fossil fuels. 511 would, in turn,

improve traveler safety. In 2010, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) mandated a set of requirements for systems that deliver

real-time traffic information to the public. States DOTs were asked to comply with this mandate by November 2014. Many states, in

addition to maintaining websites, also have dedicated mobile apps and a social media presence (e.g., one or multiple Twitter accounts)

that communicate data on traffic and road conditions. Analysis of 511 usage data indicated that the number of phone calls received has

dropped sharply since the mid-2000s. Conversely, the amount of traffic handled by KYTC’s websites and mobile apps has increased.

Like the phone system, websites and mobile apps garner the most traffic during the winter months. Discussions with KYTC 511

stakeholders revealed that phone system will be less relevant — although necessary to maintain, particularly in rural areas. There was

significant consensus among KYTC stakeholders about the strengths of the state’s current approach to delivering traffic information,

and a number of improvements were put forward to enhance it in the future. A survey of Kentucky drivers revealed that a majority get

their traffic information through digital content providers. Services such as Google and Waze are popular for retrieving maps and driving

directions, while television and radio play an important role still, especially for the provision of information during hazardous weather.

Government-provided services (i.e., 511, TRIMARC) are less popular among drivers, and only garner a fraction of the traffic of online

services and traditional media. Discussions with other state DOTs revealed that many other states are currently in the process of

rethinking their 511 and traveler information systems. Many plan to retool these over the next 2–3 years. While there was agreement

among state DOTs that they will continue to provide authoritative traveler information, how they carry out this mandate is somewhat

unclear.


Format:
PDF
Funding:
SPR-16-56-2
Collection(s):
US Transportation Collection
Main Document Checksum:
[+]
urn:sha256:a24274194b6a2b398573d0602ad49c19a9fc67079bfe36187c2b2a9ce75d4ec4
Download URL:
https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/31955/dot_31955_DS1.pdf
File Type:

Supporting Files

• No Additional Files

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