2. Prepared for the “Making Work Zones Work Better” Workshop by Paul M. Cammack, P.E. Transportation Technology Engineer Nebraska Department of Roads

3. Topics Why 511 in Nebraska? Steps to Deployment 511 Operation & Statistics Comments Received Lessons Learned Future

4. Why 511 in Nebraska?

5. The 511 Traveler Information System: Is a rural Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) deployment project and brings transportation technology to the rural environment... Is a rural Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) deployment project and brings transportation technology to the rural environment... Gathers weather and road condition information together using a variety of advanced technology systems... Gathers weather and road condition information together using a variety of advanced technology systems... Provides the traveling public easy access to information so they can make informed decisions... Provides the traveling public easy access to information so they can make informed decisions... Probably the most publicly “visible” ITS deployment… Probably the most publicly “visible” ITS deployment… Has the potential to bring together urban and statewide traveler information… Has the potential to bring together urban and statewide traveler information…

6. Summer Storms Winter Storms

7. Workzones

8. Maintenance & Construction Operations

9. Tourism

10. Things have changed Homeland Defense

11. Steps to Deployment

12. Advanced Transportation Weather Information System

13. Data Acquisition System Ethernet RWIC Host at UND World-wide Weather Database Meteorology National Lightning Detection Network Modem External User Internet UND Cray J-90 Road Sensor Network International Weather Data Agricultural Weather Network Doppler Weather Radar NOAA GOES & TIROS NWS & WMO Satellite Data

14. 511 A partnership project between the Nebraska State Patrol and the Nebraska Department of RoadsA partnership project between the Nebraska State Patrol and the Nebraska Department of Roads Replaces the State Patrol’s 1-800-906-9069 road report number, which will be phased out as users become comfortable calling 511Replaces the State Patrol’s 1-800-906-9069 road report number, which will be phased out as users become comfortable calling 511 Provides Department reported road conditions in a timely and user-friendly venueProvides Department reported road conditions in a timely and user-friendly venue

15. PSC Order Hearings and workshops conducted by the Public Service Commission Order issued August 5, 2001

16. Nebraska was the first State to use the FCC designated 511 number for its entire highway system ! October 1, 2001

17. Look for New 511 Road Signs Along State Highways

18. 511 Operational Deployments Cincinnati / Northern KYCincinnati / Northern KY NebraskaNebraska UtahUtah I-81 Corridor in VirginiaI-81 Corridor in Virginia ArizonaArizona OrlandoOrlando MinnesotaMinnesota SE FloridaSE Florida Washington StateWashington State IowaIowa South DakotaSouth Dakota Kentucky StatewideKentucky Statewide San FranciscoSan Francisco MontanaMontana North DakotaNorth Dakota MaineMaine New HampshireNew Hampshire

20. 511 Operation & Statistics

21. Customer Access A single switch Four questions Site-specific information

22. System Architecture #SAFE Operations Center Data Collection, Integration, & Mesoscale Weather Forecasting NDOR RWIS Operational data Travelers dial one number 511 Integrated Nowcast/Forecast & Road Condition Data Computer Telephony Located Grand Forks, ND Cellular/PCS Providers LEC/CLEC NDOR Road Conditions Operational data

23. What does the user hear when they call 511? “Welcome to the Nebraska 511 Traveler Information System. If this is an emergency, hang up now and dial 911”“Welcome to the Nebraska 511 Traveler Information System. If this is an emergency, hang up now and dial 911” “For NE roads, press 1; for SD roads, press 2; etc…”“For NE roads, press 1; for SD roads, press 2; etc…” “Enter your Interstate or highway number followed by the # sign”“Enter your Interstate or highway number followed by the # sign” “For Interstate 80 between Lincoln and Omaha, press 1; etc…”“For Interstate 80 between Lincoln and Omaha, press 1; etc…” SYSTEM PROVIDES ROAD/WEATHER CONDITIONS REPORTSYSTEM PROVIDES ROAD/WEATHER CONDITIONS REPORT “Press 1 to repeat last report; press 2 to request another road/weather conditions report; press 8 to leave a question, comment, recommendation for the system administrator”“Press 1 to repeat last report; press 2 to request another road/weather conditions report; press 8 to leave a question, comment, recommendation for the system administrator”

24. What does the user hear when they call 511?

25. What is the cost for 511? Initial startup costs were $120,000. First year operational costs were $180,000. Costs shared 50/50 between State Patrol And Department of Roads

26. Does it cost anything to call 511? Cellular telephone users will incur the usual fees associated with any cellular call (e.g. roaming, air time). Landline telephone users will incur no more than the cost of a local call (typically free).

27. World Wide Web Access to 511 Information www.dor.state.ne.us or www.safetravelusa.com

30. 511 Deployment Progress

31. Nebraska’s 511 Calls

32. Nebraska’s 511 Web Hits

33. Comments Received

34. Nebraska 511 Comment Line Summary Total No. of Comments Analyzed: Positive: Negative: Need Call Back: N.A.: 163 62 17 68 16

35. Comments

36. “I just wanted to thank you for this service. I’m a newcomer to Nebraska and this is an invaluable gift to the people of the state. Thank you so very much.”

37. Another Viewpoint “I think this system is very helpful; however, I don’t think very many people are that familiar with mile markers….”

38. The Other Side of the Coin “…I asked for road conditions, and all you gave me was weather conditions.”

39. Lessons Learned

40. Your road condition reporting system must be accurate, timely and reliable.

41. Highway Condition Reporting System (PioneerNet)

42. Lessons Learned Your road condition reporting system must be accurate, timely and reliable. Landmarks are more recognizable than mileposts—but there are disadvantages.

44. Lessons Learned Your road condition reporting system must be accurate, timely and reliable. Landmarks are more recognizable than mileposts—but there are disadvantages. Tailor your system to fit your needs and expand it as your demand grows.

46. Lessons Learned Your road condition reporting system must be accurate, timely and reliable. Landmarks are more recognizable than mileposts—but there are disadvantages. Tailor your system to fit your needs and expand it as your demand grows. Deploy with time to debug.

48. Lessons Learned Your road condition reporting system must be accurate, timely and reliable. Landmarks are more recognizable than mileposts—but there are disadvantages. Tailor your system to fit your needs and expand it as your demand grows. Deploy with time to debug. Address 24/7/365 operations and system support issues in advance (including staff time).

50. Lessons Learned Your road condition reporting system must be accurate, timely and reliable. Landmarks are more recognizable than mileposts—but there are disadvantages. Tailor your system to fit your needs and expand it as your demand grows. Deploy with time to debug. Address 24/7/365 operations and system support issues in advance (including staff time). “Marketing is a four-letter word to most DOT’s—but a necessary evil.

51. www.deploy511.org

52. What’s in the future for 511? Multi-State Shared TelephonyMulti-State Shared Telephony Amber AlertAmber Alert Voice RecognitionVoice Recognition Language ChoicesLanguage Choices Road Construction and Detour ReportsRoad Construction and Detour Reports Work ZonesWork Zones Metropolitan Traffic Reports and Transit InformationMetropolitan Traffic Reports and Transit Information Warnings of Crashes, Incidents, Closures, etc.Warnings of Crashes, Incidents, Closures, etc. Tourist and Local Event InformationTourist and Local Event Information Premium Services and/or Yellow PagesPremium Services and/or Yellow Pages Commercial Vehicle InformationCommercial Vehicle Information

54. Multi-State Shared Telephony Nebraska’s 511 utilizes a “shared telephony” system with the other #SAFE Advanced Traveler Weather Information System states (North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Montana). This concept was designed and developed by Meridian Environmental Technologies, Inc.

57. Highway Condition Reporting System (PioneerNet)

58. For more WEB Sites http://www.dor.state.ne.us http://www.safetravelusa.com http://www.deploy511.org http://511.transportation.org http://www.apta.com/services/// http://www.itsa.org/511.html http://www.its.dot.gov/511/511.htm1.htm1.htm http://Ops.fhwa.dot.gov/travel/traveler_info.htm

59. For more information Paul M. Cammack, Nebraska DOR pcammack@dor.state.ne.us Major Bryan Tuma, Nebraska State Patrol btuma@nsp.state.ne.us Mark Owens, Meridian Environmental mowens@meridian-enviro.com