News Release for November 3, 2008
For More Information:
Russell Charette, MaineDOT - 207-624-3238
Mark Latti, MaineDOT - 207-624-3030

MaineDOT Launches Next-Generation 511 Travel Information Website with real-time amtrak downeaster information

If you are traveling in Maine this holiday season and are wondering if a winter storm has slowed traffic, whether the Downeaster train is running on schedule, or if there is a construction project on your travel route, you can log on to Maine’s Next-Generation 511 system at www.511maine.gov to get real-time information on road closures, travel conditions, Downeaster status and road construction projects.

MaineDOT completed significant enhancements to the statewide 511 Travel Information service that will benefit travelers throughout the state. The Next-Generation 511 Web now uses more readable and user-friendly Google Maps and includes not only highways, but also local roads. The primary new feature of Next-Generation 511 Web is the use of Google Maps. As with First-Generation 511 Web, the “Next-Gen” software will display roadway-located event icons based on traffic/travel event data entered into the system by MaineDOT. Users will be able to choose whether to see traffic-event lists for selected roadways, or to see all roadway and/or Amtrak Downeaster schedule information inside the map frames of their choice.

Users can zoom and pan Next-Gen 511 Web maps by clicking on pan and zoom controls. Users can also select a map, satellite image, or a hybrid of the two, as a map background at multiple zoom levels, with clickable 511 Web icons and roadway coloring to represent winter driving conditions. In addition to the Interstate, U.S. highways, and state roads displayed on the 511 Web, local roads and roads in neighboring states and provinces also appear on the maps. Travelers also can get real-time schedule information about where and when to catch the Amtrak Downeaster passenger train, which runs between Portland and Boston, and regional traffic conditions and crashes. Users will be also able to select a travel day of the week, or a date, and then view the Amtrak Downeaster departures for that day. Delays for Downeaster trains will be shown in real time when the trains are delayed by 10 minutes or more. In the future, the enhanced 511 system will provide information on transit systems.

Next-Gen 511 Web also includes the ability to provide “floodgate messages” that are used to announce major weather events, natural disasters, large-scale public health announcements, and other emergencies with broad geographical impact. 511 Travel Information is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, online at www.511maine.gov and on the telephone, and provides travelers with real-time travel information. Road-related incidents and updates are entered into the system database on an ongoing basis.

The Federal Communications Commission approved the designation of 511 as a universal-access telephone number for travel information, similar to the way 911 is used to report emergencies. MaineDOT and sixteen other departments of transportation, including Vermont and New Hampshire, have partnered to develop this interactive voice-response system and the Web based system. The multi-state consortium was created to share resources, including access to improved technology and a reduction in operational costs.

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