DOT announces expanded 511 web

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities has announced they have expanded their 511 web and telephone traveler information system to include smart phone access and an R-S-S feed. For those traveling with access to the newest technology it means easier access to road and weather information.

Alaska DOTs 511 mobile website also serves as a low-bandwidth site for rural areas having low broadband Internet coverage.  Individuals can type in 511.alaska.gov   from a smart phone internet browser and view road conditions, construction reports, weather watches, incidents, and even view road weather camera images where available.

New Generation 511, as it is known, includes a newly improved telephone system as well.  The 511 Manager, Lisa Idell-Sassi, says that next year they will have a Twitter feed and launch a 511 app for smart phones.

The 511 phone system incorporates a new voice and menu structure for quicker access to highway reports and public transportation agencies including Canadian travel information, the National Weather Service and weight restrictions.

The DOT has not commented on whether they want people actually driving on the road to be using this latest technology.