511 Motorist Aid Traveler Information System
In April 2010, San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG) and the Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) announced the formal launch of the Inland Empire 511 (IE511) system, travel and commuter information for all of Southern California. IE511 provides robust, up to the minute traffic and mobility options to motorists via the phone or www.IE511.org. The motto of IE511 and the encouragement to all users is to “Know Before You Go” and visit the IVR or website prior to making their commutes. While in San Bernardino or Riverside Counties, dial 511 from a land line or cell phone to be connected. There is no charge or fee to call 511, only the caller’s routine phone usage charges. If you are outside of the Inland Empire and would like to be connected to IE511, call 1-877-MY-IE511 (1-877-694-3511).
Project partners include: San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG), California Highway Patrol (CHP), California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), as well as a variety of contractors.
Benefits of IE 511:
- Helps Inland Empire commuters avoid delays and freeway closures with real-time traffic information
- Helps with finding alternative ways of transportation (Ridesharing).
- Improves overall traffic congestion, mobility and quality of life in the Inland Empire.
- IVR
- Website
- Marketing and Outreach
- History
Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system
Using data provided by Caltrans and the California Highway Patrol; travel times, sig alerts, and route specific incidents on major highways are provided through the freeway traffic section of IE511. Below is the layout of the IVR.
Four main branches
- Traffic
- Metrolink
- Bus transit
- Rideshare
Transfer to other 511 systems
Arizona, Orange, Los Angeles and Ventura counties, Nevada, and San Diego
Help
Comments and survey – can be transferred to a live operator to provide feedback on the system. SANBAG & RCTC staff members respond to the public when a phone number or email is provided.
Characteristics
- touch tone
- speech recognition
- barge in capability
- flood gates
The IE511 Website and IVR have similar structure. The website features the following:
Traffic Map
- Speeds
- Travel times
- Events
- CMS
- Cameras
Ridesharing
- Ridematching Incentives
- Interactive Park and Ride lot locator
- Google Transit trip planning
- Links to Metrolink and other transit services
- Multi-county and multi-modal choices
An Air quality grant from the Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee (MSRC) was used to promote IE511. Efforts include:
- Pre and post surveys to measure impact
- Marketing:
- Installation of more than 80 freeway signs
- IE511 Brochures
- Radio advertisements
- Newspaper Advertisements
- Print Media
- Billboard advertisements
- Facebook/twitter pages- where followers are notified immediately of major highway incidents and sig alerts.
Below is the official logo and freeway sign of IE511:
In July 2000, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) designated 511 as the national travel information phone number. However, the FCC did not provide a funding source and left the implementation and funding decisions to the states and local agencies.
A section in the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act (SAFETEA-LU) requires that a national 511 system, including a comprehensive website, be established by 2010. Currently, 40 states have some form of a 511 system, serving approximately 70% of the nation's population. For more information on other 511 systems, visit www.deploy511.org.
SANBAG Contact
Jenny Herrera.
Air Quality/Mobility Programs Specialist
Phone: (909) 884-8276
Email: jherrera@sanbag.ca.gov