In Virginia, the Virginia Department of Transportation’s Traffic Operations Centers (TOCs) provide road and highway information to 511. The TMCs receive this information from a variety of sources including VDOT safety service crews, VDOT construction crews, traffic cameras, pavement sensors and the Virginia State Police. Weather updates come from the National Weather Service, and transit information comes directly from local public transportation agencies.

511 is your one-stop resource for all the information you need to make statewide traveling as easy and reliable as possible. From traffic conditions to carpooling information to route planning, there’s never been a more convenient way to find answers to all of your transportation questions. Using state-of-theart technology, 511 provides you with real-time traffic information and transportation alternatives, anywhere you are, anytime you need them.

The 511 service is currently offered in many areas and states. In Virginia, there are two primary ways to access information—the 511virginia.org Web site and by calling 511 from any phone. You’ll find answers to many frequently asked questions about both systems below. You can also sign-up to receive personalized info sent directly to your e-mail or mobile device.

Before 511, there were more than 300 different phone numbers providing some sort of highway or public transportation-related information nationwide. Sound confusing? It was. So on March 8, 1999, the U.S. Department of Transportation petitioned the Federal Communications Commission to designate a nationwide three-digit telephone number for traveler information.

The FCC designated 511 as the national traveler information number. Virginia’s 511 system began in the Shenandoah Valley in 2000 and went statewide in early 2005.

If it’s related to driving or traveling in Virginia, you’ll find it at 511.

With 511, you’ll find traveler information such as:

• Traffic conditions
• Live traffic camera feeds
• Highway construction updates
• Road conditions
• Trip-planning tools
• Carpool, vanpool and rideshare information
• Transit information
• Ferry, tunnel and bridge information
• Safety tips
• Toll information
• Weather conditions
• Biking routes
• And more

By giving you an easy way to find trip-planning resources, traffic conditions, weather updates and alternative transportation info, 511 helps you take control of your travels—so you can travel smarter. This saves you  time, money and stress.

At the same time, the system can even help travelers who don’t use the service. When you and other people like you use 511 to avoid a traffic jam, highway incident or other congestion, you help direct traffic away from the problem. This makes it easier for emergency responders to reach the scene, and for drivers who are stuck in congestion caused by an accident to get out.

Finally, by making it simple for you to learn about and start using alternative transportation options—like carpools, vanpools, ridesharing, telework, buses, trains, ferries, biking, walking and more—511 can help to reduce overall traffic congestion and air pollution throughout the state.

The easiest way is to simply use it. The more you use the system, the more we learn about what’s important to you.  If you have a specific suggestion about how we can improve, tell us. We want to know what you think.

In Virginia, there are two primary ways to access information—dial 511 from any phone, cell or landline, or log on to the 511virginia.org Web site. For more detailed information, links, camera images and other trip-planning tools.

• Select a Region: Enables you to get more localized information. Provides information by region (e.g., Central, Hampton Roads, Northern, Northwestern and Southwestern)   
• Road Conditions: Displays all the incidents, traffic congestion and construction alerts on an easy-to-use map
• Trip Planning: Allows you to plan your daily commute, a trip to the store, or travels across the state with up-to-the-minute information about traffic incidents, congestion and road construction—plus alternative forms of transportation that may be available for your trip
• Traffic Cameras: See what’s happening on the road ahead—before you even get behind the wheel—with these real-time traffic cameras
• Ask 511: Get answers to the questions most asked by 511 users, or ask a question of your own
• My 511 Control Room: Take control of your mobility by building your own customized home page—including traffic cameras, weather and trip planning information for an unlimited number of personalized trips
• About 511: It’s the place to go to learn more about 511, its partners, and the plan for a nationwide network of 511 solutions
• Search: It’s the fast and easy way to find what you need—type in what you’re looking for and it quickly searches the entire site for the information
  

Yes. Just sign up for the 511 emergency mobile alert service and we’ll e-mail important emergency updates to you whenever it may impact your travel plans.

It is an interactive, voice-activated travel information system that you can access by calling 511 from your landline or cell phone. To be safe, do not use a hand-held cell phone while driving. Instead, use a hands-free accessory so you can keep both hands on the wheel. Or better yet, call when you are stopped at one of VDOT’s safety rest areas.

Just about anything you need when traveling throughout Virginia. Information includes:

• Emergency messages
• Real-time traffic conditions     
• Bridge and tunnel information  
• Weather conditions 
• Other state 511 systems    
• Safety rest area and welcome center locations and amenities

VDOT regularly updates the information available on the service, so there’s really no need for you to look anywhere else for travel information.

Using a sophisticated voice-recognition system, 511 allows you to navigate completely hands-free. You also can interrupt at anytime and make your request—there’s no need to wait for the system to finish a question before you answer.

For even faster and more efficient navigation, use the following commands:

• To repeat information say "Repeat"
• To skip information say "Next"
• To get help say "Help"
• To go back to the main menu say "Main menu"
• Interrupt (barge-in) the system - once you know what questions will be asked, you can answer as soon as the system starts asking them. You DO NOT need to wait for the system to finish the question before answering.
  

If the system is having problems recognizing your voice, try the following:

• Speak as clearly as possible
• Minimize background noise
• Ask for help at any time by saying “Help”—the system automatically gives help specific to the question just asked
• 511 Virginia allows you to provide touch-tone (DTMF) input at various stages of your dialogue—for a list of touch-tone entries, click here

All landline and wireless carriers are providing access to 511 Virginia service though the 511 dialing code. Some office telephone systems (PBXs) may need to be reprogrammed to allow the three-digit 511 code. If you dial 511 from inside your office and get a fast busy signal, please check with your office manager or telephone system administrator to ensure that 511 is allowed through your PBX.

If you are unable to dial 511 from any phone, you can still access the service by dialing (866) MY511VA (1-866-695-1182).

After you have retrieved your travel information, please say “Feedback” to record a comment on the system. If you are not able to connect to 511, call (866) MY511VA and state that your carrier or telephone did not connect to 511, being sure to include the name of the telephone carrier and (especially wireless users) the location from which you were not able to connect. This will help us to ensure that all users in Virginia have equal access to 511 Virginia.