TALLAHASSEE, Fl--August 28, 2013; The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) today launched its Florida 511 mobile app for Android devices. The Florida 511 app now is available for both Android and Apple devices and can be downloaded for free on Google Play or iTunes.
“FDOT aims to provide traffic information to Florida's residents and visitors in a variety of ways, so they can receive information in the manner that best fits their lifestyle”
AAA says the roadways could be crowded this Labor Day weekend with the anticipated number of travelers taking road trips reaching a post-recession high. In Florida, 1.5 million are expected travel by car during the holiday weekend, making the Florida 511 mobile app an essential travel tool to avoid and plan for traffic accordingly.
FDOT's 511 Traveler Information System provides up-to-date traffic information on crashes, congestion, construction and more on all of Florida's interstates, toll roads and many major metropolitan roadways. The Florida 511 app provides the same real-time traffic and travel time information as the 511 phone system, website and Twitter feeds.
The 511 app uses GPS tracking to provide users with traffic information within miles of their location. Users can set the app to provide information for a range of up to 200 miles from their location, view traffic in a select city or county by typing in a desired location or receive traffic information based on their registered My Florida 511 custom routes. Travel time information also is available based on location and direction of travel.
The Florida 511 app offers traffic updates in four ways:
- Interactive map view displaying incidents
- On-screen list of incidents
- Traffic camera views associated with incidents
- Audible recording of incidents
"FDOT aims to provide traffic information to Florida's residents and visitors in a variety of ways, so they can receive information in the manner that best fits their lifestyle," said Elizabeth Birriel, Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Program Manager, FDOT. "The launch of the 511 Android app comes just in time for the Labor Day weekend, allowing the majority of smartphone users to have traffic updates at their fingertips."
Accessing traffic information is more convenient than ever with this addition to 511's suite of resources. There are four convenient ways for motorists to receive traffic updates with the 511 system:
- Call 511 toll free for updates in English and Spanish.
- Visit FL511.com, with interactive roadway maps showing traffic congestion and crashes, traffic camera views and travel times.
- Download the free Florida 511 app available for Android and Apple devices.
- Follow one of the 12 statewide, regional or roadway-specific feeds on Twitter.
FDOT reminds all travelers to check 511 before hitting the road, have a passenger check 511 while driving or pull over to avoid distracted driving.