TDOT 511 Motorist Information Line Hits Half Million Calls

Tuesday, March 27, 2007 | 07:00pm

Nashville, Tenn. — Seven months after the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) unveiled Tennessee 511, travelers are turning to the motorist information line in ever-increasing numbers. Tennessee 511 was launched by Governor Phil Bredesen and TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely on August 14, 2006. On March 27, 2007 at approximately 8:30 a.m. CDT, Tennessee 511 officially reached 500,000 calls. At this rate, it is possible that the system will receive a million calls within its first year of operation.

“Governor Bredesen and I presented 511 to the public last August, and we are very pleased at the tremendous response from motorists,” said Commissioner Nicely. “Motorists are using the 511 system in increasing numbers to get current and accurate information on road conditions in Tennessee.”

The Tennessee 511 system is a component of a nationwide plan to provide reliable traveler information to the motoring public. Tennessee was the 24th state to launch a 511 system since the initiative began in 2000.

Tennessee 511 uses both touch-tone and voice-activated technology. Upon dialing 511, a caller is presented with a list of options that can be accessed either by using their phone keypad or by simply speaking. The available options include current information on traffic conditions, statewide weather information, access to TDOT’s Record-A-Comment phone line, Amber Alerts, and links to neighboring state 511 systems.

Judy Steele, TDOT Community Relations Director added, “I am delighted that motorists in Tennessee continue to trust and depend on 511 as a one-stop resource for obtaining accurate statewide travel information. The investment that TDOT made in this technology is paying off by making travel safer and more convenient for Tennessee’s drivers.”

Tennessee 511 can be accessed 24-hours a day, either by phone or on the internet at www.TN511.com. Although Tennessee 511 provides information on construction-related lane closures, more detailed construction information may be obtained on TDOT’s web site www.tennessee.gov/tdot. Also, it is important to note that general congestion, such as daily rush hour traffic, is not reported through the 511 system.

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