Contract awarded for enhanced 511 Virginia system

Posted to: News Traffic - Transportation Virginia
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The Associated Press
© September 29, 2011

RICHMOND

The state Department of Transportation has awarded a contract for an enhanced traffic and travel information system.

Santa Ana, Calif-based Iteris Inc. will design, develop and operate the "511 Virginia" system, which provides real-time information about road conditions, construction delays and other incidents to motorists.

The dollar amount of the five-year contract wasn't released.

The current system has been in place since 2008. New features and enhancements include smartphone apps, e-mail alerts, improved voice recognition software and an easy-to-use menu.

Iteris also will establish sponsorships for the system's road signs, traffic video feeds and website. The sponsorships are expected to offset the cost of operating the system to taxpayers.

The 511 Virginia service typically receives 200,000 calls each month.

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GOOD

Submitted by KnubLegs on Thu, 09/29/2011 at 10:45 am.

After many years of traveling back and forth on 95 and 64, I was so aggravated with hearing "I'm sorry, I didnt get that" from the voice recognition lady. 511 is a great tool. I am glad to see they are updating the voice recognition software.

vdot 511

Submitted by tanyak13031 on Thu, 09/29/2011 at 9:13 am.

Well-worth the investment! I have used 511 on many occasions when stuck in tunnel traffic.

Real Time?

Submitted by Mr. Whippy on Thu, 09/29/2011 at 9:06 am.

Will this work better than the radio staion (610 AM) that is NEVER current? I once sat in dead-stopped traffic at the Midtown tunnel for 40 minutes, and the VDOT radio station claimed there was "no delay" the entire time. And how much did we pay for those overhead signs, anyway? Half the time, so many bulbs are out that you can't decipher the intended message. At least they didn't put VDOT in charge.....there may be hope.