The deployment involved a new state-of-the-art traveller information website, (www.511virginia.org), a new 511 interactive voice response (IVR) phone system, and two new mobile applications. Additional capabilities were developed to support VDoT’s ‘Reach the Beach’ programme. Within seven months, Iteris integrated all of the VDoT’s approximately 800 CCTV cameras and data resources from five regional operation centres into a single, standardised video/data distribution centre.
“The ‘Reach the Beach’ initiative will help VDoT improve the overall traveller experience by providing updated travel times at key decision points approaching and leaving the beach,” said Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell. “This system will help travellers by providing them with the most reliable travel time information available and where possible, encourage them to use alternate routes that are less congested.”
The 511 system provides commuters and travellers multi-media access to traffic information throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia, allowing them to avoid congestion on frequently travelled routes.