Holiday traffic season is here. As the roads congest and the tempers flare, it might be a good idea to seek help getting from here to there, according to the Florida Department of Transportation’s Florida 511 system.
FDOT offers “Know Before You Go,” which keeps drivers informed about traffic conditions all over Florida. The service, created by LogicTree, allows drivers to call 511 on their phone, or visit FL511.com, and plan a trip accordingly.
“We are constantly working to have a zero-fatality transportation system and 511 is a key component of that plan,” FDOT Secretary Ananth Prasad said. “Knowing about what’s ahead on the road can help travelers stay calm, make wise decisions and even choose a less congested route.”
But now there’s another way to keep track of holiday traffic -- a mobile app.
Launched in July and currently only available for the iPhone, iPod and iPad, the 511 app uses GPS tracking to provide users with information within miles -- up to 200 -- of their route.
It includes audible recording of incidents that display on screen, as well as a map that places problem areas with red pins. If the traffic area has a camera associated with it, the app can pull it up so drivers can get a view of the logjam.
Because it’s a phone app, the FDOT stresses the importance of not using it while driving.
“I always recommend ‘Know Before You Go,’ ” 511 Public Information Officer Vicky Mixson said. “It’s important that people are not distracted when they’re driving. We always say look at the app before you leave, or have a passenger do it.
”The app, of which an Android version is in the works, also allows drivers to report accidents and problem areas to the department directly through a voice file. It’s sent to traffic managers around the state and, if it’s verified, will end up on the Florida 511 network.
Mixson said so far about 25,000 people have downloaded the app, and she sees it as the future of personal traffic management.
“It’s the next wave of how traffic information should be disseminated,” she said.
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