What if there was a way to instantly check traffic reports before leaving the office, thus shaving valuable minutes off travel time? Dialing 5-1-1 now puts instant traffic reports and other transit information services directly in the hands of commuters.
In February, the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG), in collaboration with local and state transit agencies, launched a transit information system designed to ease traffic congestion by putting more information in the hands of commuters, according to Anne Steinberger, SANDAG communications manager.
By dialing 5-1-1 or logging onto www.511sd.com, travelers can connect with up-to-the-minute traffic information, including traffic congestion and transit routes.
The new service also allows users to connect directly with the roadside Mobile Call Box program and other information services 24 hours a day.
“People drive a lot of miles in this region,” Steinberger said. “The goal is the more information they have, the less crowded it will be on the road.”
Dialing 5-1-1 connects the user with a voice-activated system where menu choices are organized categorically. Callers simply name the city, highway or point of interest, such as SeaWorld, to hear the real-time information about number of incidents, driving times and even traffic speeds.
The 5-1-1 information service is also available in Spanish.
Saying “roadside assistance” at the prompt directs callers to the San Diego County Service Authority for Freeway Emergencies (SAFE) call center, SAFE Executive Director Eddie Castoria said.
The Mobile Call Box program uses the same system as the SAFE call boxes installed at every half mile along each side of the freeways throughout the county, Castoria said.
“It’s really like having your own personal call box in your pocket or purse. Your phone becomes your call box,” Castoria said.
The SAFE Call Box program has existed in San Diego County since 1989 and has handled approximately 2 million calls from call boxes along the county’s highway system as of 2004, Castoria said.
Users can access a real-time, color-coded traffic map at the 5-1-1 Web site, which tracks traffic data from sensors along the highway. The interactive map allows users to click on points to get information on that area, including drive times and traffic speeds.
Bus schedules, trolley schedules and day trip planning are also available. Commuters can also check border-crossing information for San Ysidro and Otay Mesa.
San Diego is the 33rd region in the nation to implement 5-1-1 and the first in Southern California, Steinberger said.
