511 — Now there’s an app for that!

Click to access the FL-511 System App

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has launched an iPhone application (app) as part of its 511/FL-ATIS system. The new app provides the same real-time traffic information as 511 without drivers having to make a call. The Florida 511 app was developed by LogicTree Corporation, which also built the Florida 511 phone system. An Android app is expected later this year.

The 511 app uses the iPhone’s GPS system to provide users with information in their location. Users can set the app to provide information for a range of up to 200 miles from their location, or can enter their My Florida 511 primary phone number and get traffic information on their customized routes. The iPhone app provides traffic information in three ways: an audible alert, an on-screen list and a map. Users can also manually search for 511 traffic information.

The Front-end Application Menus allow users to choose to view traffic information, travel times, leave feedback or modify system settings:

Traffic

The Traffic window allows users to see local or personalized traffic reports. The “Traffic Near You” screen automatically lists all events within the user’s selected range. My Florida 511 users will see traffic events on their customized routes. Users can also enter a city or metro area to find events in that location. The “play all” button plays an audio recording of the incident — the same recording a caller would hear on the 511 phone call. Touching a single event plays that event’s recording, and touching the arrow button by the event takes the user to a detailed view of the event.

The map icon at the top of screen switches to a graphic view of the user’s events. Color-coded push pin icons show the location of events: red for incidents, purple for construction. Touching an icon brings up a summary of the event, and touching the “I” (information) in the summary window zooms in to the event and shows full details. The “view all” button zooms the map out to the user’s range again, and the list button takes users back to the list view.

Travel Times

The Travel Times screen allows users to view available travel times with their selected range, or along their My Florida 511 customized routes. The app provides the travel time segment name, average travel time and the average travel speed on each available segment.

The app knows the user’s direction of travel and provides travel times in that direction. A compass icon allows users to change the direction of travel, which is useful for users checking conditions while stopped. A list of roadways on the right of the screen allows the user to jump to travel times on that roadway.

Feedback

The Feedback screen allows users to Report Traffic or leave a General Comment on the 511 system. Users select which kind of feedback they want to leave, then click Record. They can record a message up to two minutes long, then play it back, or simply hit Send. If the feedback is about how well the system is functioning or a possible system problem, the information will be sent to a central email address to be reviewed and analyzed by engineers. If the feedback is to report traffic, the application will utilize the caller’s GPS location to determine to which District to send the traffic report.

Settings

The Settings menu allows the user to customize the application. The user can enter their My Florida 511 primary phone number and link to their account. This allows them and receive information based on their profile and customized routes.

The user can modify the range in which the application will report traffic events, whether to receive construction information and whether to have the events that are around their location play automatically. They can also choose whether to share their GPS location when providing feedback.

The iPhone application provides a safer way to access traffic information utilizing a mobile device. The technology pushes the information out to the user based on the user’s predefined settings. There is no need to dial 511. The system can speak to the user when they near an event.

The new 511 app is another example of how the FDOT ITS Program is succeeding in providing a “safe transportation system that ensures the mobility of people and goods” throughout Florida. It expands our nation-leading system, which includes the IVR, website and personalized services, and gives Floridians one more tool to help “Know Before You Go.”