Potential 511 System Content

Traveler information that could be delivered through a 511 system includes:

Carpool/vanpool: Find someone to travel to work or school with through a free, public ridematching service 24/7
Public transit – real time: No more guessing. You could know exactly when the next bus or train will arrive. Need to make transit connections across county boundaries? No problem. A single Monterey Bay Area Transit trip planner application could make transit trip planning a breeze.
Drive solo or with others: Knowing the traffic conditions and the estimated driving times could reduce the time lost due to congestion, and reduce your stress immensely.
Truck/Freight: Information on weigh restrictions, driving conditions, rest stops, bridge height clearance, road work activities, and commercial vehicle restrictions at a centralized location could streamline freight delivery and enhance safety.

With large construction projects in the works such as the Prunedale Improvement Project, Highway 1 Salinas Road Interchange Project, US 101 Airport Boulevard Interchange Project, and Highway 1 Soquel/Morrissey Auxiliary Lanes Project, providing travelers with up-to-date construction and travel condition information could help mitigate the impact of these facility improvements while they are under construction.

Real-time traffic conditions and driving times provided via maps and cameras could provide information about

Road Conditions – Real-time information on road conditions due to natural hazards such as snow, rain, wind, floods, fire, earthquakes etc…
Construction Delays – Real-time effects on traffic due to major construction on roadways.
Traffic Incidents – Information on where the current traffic incidents are located and the estimated time to clear them.
Park and Ride Lots – Information on the location, capacity, lighting, bike racks, and typical fill times for Park and Ride Lots in the area.
Rideshare Agencies– Rideshare services provide a way to match up commuters with similar travel patterns to find carpool, vanpool or bicycle partners.
Customized Info and Alerts– Real-time information via the web, phone or mobile computing devices could be tailored for your preferred trips. Driving times, public transit departure times, traffic camera views could be unique to your routes of interest by creating your own 511 home page or bypassing menu options on the phone. Text-messages and e-mail alerts could also be available.
Trip Planning – Information on the options for how to get from one location to another, including driving directions, bus or rail transit alternatives, and bicycling/walk options.

Imagine being able to tap into a wealth of bicycling and walking resources: you could conveniently learn about the existing bicycling and walking facilities, gain knowledge about bicycle and pedestrian safety, taking your bikes on public transit and much more.

Visitors to the Monterey Bay Area could learn about available parking near popular destinations and other transportation options such as riding shuttles and bicycles to get to major events.
Local residents could be apprised of longer than normal travel times and be informed of alternate routes reducing frustration and time lost in traffic.

A 511 system’s ability to distribute information to large numbers of individuals quickly, clearly and simultaneously about impacted areas, areas to avoid, and alternate routes makes it an invaluable tool in emergencies.
As a centralized location for all transportation information, a 511 system could help reduce the number of people approaching an impacted area after an emergency or disaster, providing greater and safer access for emergency crews.

Traveling to popular destinations such as the airport could be easier and more predictable if you could estimate your driving time and conditions prior to leaving home and making the flight.
Information about your options for getting to the airport, including transit and taxi services, could be easily accessible at your fingertips.

Travelers could view the current weather conditions and determine how weather may impact their commute or travel plans.

Using a bus to get to the harbor or dock for your next day on the bay can be made easy with the public transit component of the system.