Skip to main content

West Virginia state-wide 511 traveller information system launched

West Virginia’s state-wide 511 traveller information system, designed and deployed by intelligent transportation systems (ITS) provider Open Roads Consulting, has been unveiled by Governor Earl Tomblin and Secretary of Transportation Paul Mattox. The comprehensive system provides everything drivers need to know for a smooth commute: real-time traffic information including updates on congestion, crashes, construction, lane closures, road conditions and severe weather. It covers all of West Virginia’s interst
December 21, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
West Virginia’s state-wide 511 traveller information system, designed and deployed by intelligent transportation systems (ITS) provider 5660 Open Roads Consulting, has been unveiled by Governor Earl Tomblin and Secretary of Transportation Paul Mattox.

The comprehensive system provides everything drivers need to know for a smooth commute: real-time traffic information including updates on congestion, crashes, construction, lane closures, road conditions and severe weather. It covers all of West Virginia’s interstates and other major highways.

The 511 system offers four convenient ways for travellers to access free roadway information: by calling 511 toll-free from any landline or mobile phone; visiting their WV511.org online; downloading the free WV 511 Drive Safe mobile app for Android and iPhone devices available at WV511.org/mobile; and following one of twelve WV Twitter feeds at WV511.org/Twitter. In addition to traffic information, the 511 system offers public safety alerts, including Amber and Silver alerts.

West Virginia Department of Highways (WVDOH) traffic engineering director Cindy Cramer heralded the new system and its critical role in a recent public safety incident that also impeded traffic. “We are thrilled to publicly launch the statewide 511 system,” she said. “All of us at the WVDOH are appreciative of the commitment and dedication of the Open Roads consulting team in delivering a fully functional 511 system that proved to be an invaluable tool in assisting the public at the time of the natural gas line explosion that recently closed a portion of I-77 near Sissonville. The new 511 system will support the continued growth of WVDOH’s ITS technology program.”

Bruce Kenney, ITS coordinator and systems management engineer at WVDOH said the new 511 enhances existing systems to provide timely traffic and travel information to all users of the highways. “With the new 511 system designed and deployed by Open Roads Consulting and being hosted by them, the Transportation Management Center operators will be able to distribute information to all our stakeholders, both internal and public. The system has been designed to integrate with the existing state-wide advanced transportation management system also deployed by Open Roads Consulting, with WVDOH ITS field devices including 911/CAD data providing information to many other stakeholders including the trucking industry, 1742 Department of Homeland Security and the Parkways Authority,” Kenney said.

Related Content

  • Embedded connectivity delivers real time travel information
    February 3, 2012
    Ton Brand describes the GSM Association's Embedded mTelematics programme. As the world's roads become increasingly crowded, consumers and businesses are demanding better real-time information to help them both avoid traffic congestion and make smarter use of public transport. Embedding mobile connectivity directly into vehicles can enable drivers and passengers to see live traffic flows in their localities, as well as the expected arrival time of the next bus, ferry or tram
  • ATFI disputes toll survey findings
    September 15, 2014
    According to a recent poll by infrastructure group HNTB, 79 per cent of US residents would support "would support the addition of a toll on a non-tolled surface transportation facility if it resulted in a safer, congestion-free and more reliable trip." The poll also found 83 per cent of its respondents would also support tolls on highways that are currently free, which has been a source of contentious debate in Washington. HNTB Toll Services Chairman Jim Ely said the finding bolstered the argument o
  • Drivewyze & One.network start Oregon safety project
    March 29, 2024
    Umatilla County deal will give truck drivers in-cab, real-time road closure alerts
  • IBTTA: industry must commit to trust and accountability
    August 23, 2018
    Without a commitment to trust and accountability, the modern road tolling industry would not have the bedrock which it requires – and which customers demand, says IBTTA’s Bill Cramer When Tim Stewart, executive director of Colorado’s E-470 Public Highway Authority, settled on ‘trust and accountability’ as the themes for his year as IBTTA president, it was a very deliberate choice. Stewart was looking for language that would help deliver the global tolling industry’s message of service excellence to cust