Public and private sectors across the country have invested millions of dollars in Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) as a means of enhancing mobility, improving safety, and informing travelers of important accidents, incidents, road construction and weather that may affect their journeys. Providing access to traffic information via one nationwide, three-digit telephone number is a means to make the most of that investment.

In March 1999, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) petitioned the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to designate a nationwide three-digit telephone number for traveler information. This petition was formally supported by 17 State DOTs, 32 transit operators, and 23 Metropolitan Planning Organizations and local agencies. On July 21, 2000 the Federal Communications Commission designated "511" as the single traffic information telephone number to be made available to states and local jurisdictions across the country. The 511 service now provides travelers with automated travel information concerning construction, accidents, delays, and other roadway, weather and tourism information. Travelers can access the service from any phone, including cell phones.

Castle Rock is a recognized national leader in the implementation and deployment of 511 phone systems, and condition reporting systems that support them. To date, we have successfully deployed 8 unique statewide 511 systems (MN, IA, NM, VT, ME, NH, AK, KY). Castle Rock’s CRS-511 system was first launched in Minnesota on June 30, 2002. The Minnesota system receives from eight hundred to one thousand calls per day.

Castle Rock has also completed an IVR project for the Acadia National Park information service, as well as other phone services in Branson, Missouri and Duluth, Minnesota. We have significant experience working in the tourism area with recent projects to develop ITS applications for the National Scenic Byways Program and with the Northern New England state tourism agencies in establishing means for integrating traveler and tourism information.

511 phone systems are driven automatically by condition reporting systems: data are inputted into the CRS database by authorized users. Traveler information is taken from real time information shared by DOT districts, State Patrol, local and county governments and other agencies. The information entered into the CRS is then continuously updated to the CRS-511 system. CRS-511 provides traveler information through a variety of categories including urgent reports, routine reports, and road weather and also provides transfers to outside phone numbers that provide transit-related information.

Information flows between the CRS, CRS-511 and other ITS systems using National ITS Standards. CRS-511 provides an integrated system for these multiple agencies to provide travelers with real-time information.

For more information on 511, please contact: