Castle Rock is currently working with the Louisiana DOTD to plan and deploy a 511 traveler information system for the Baton Rouge region. The project is broken into four distinct tasks:

• planning and design
• implementation
• evaluation and operation
• recommendations for expansion

During the initial planning and design phase, Castle Rock will conduct focus groups and market research as well as organize stakeholders and a working group. The working group will meet to determine the basic parameters of the 511 system. Additionally, Castle Rock will work with telecommunications carries to lay the groundwork for 511 switching in the Baton Rouge region.

Implementation will involve the complete build and configuration of a fully-functional 511 IVR system for Baton Rouge. Castle Rock will manage hardware, software, monitoring and telephony equipment for the project, relieving LADOTD of any IT burden for running the system. Implementation will also involving a marketing plan and publicity support.

Once the system is build and operational, Castle Rock will operate the system on an ongoing basis. As a part of this task, Castle Rock will support ongoing marketing efforts, monitor system statistics, arrange focus groups for evaluation and improve the system based on feedback.

Finally, during the last phase of the project, Castle Rock will conduct a in-depth review of the first year of operations to evaluate the potential for statewide expansion, parallel web reporting, sponsorship of the system and the addition of predictive weather forecasting and tourism information. The entire project is expected to run 18 months.

Michael Ball-Marian - Associate

(303) 444-4313