News and Press Releases
Service Overview
What is Georgia 511?
511 is a real-time phone service that provides traffic and travel information, as well as 24-hour assistance request capabilities.
What information is available?
Georgia 511 provides information on:
- Estimated trip times
- Statewide traffic conditions
- Route-specific information
- Current and planned road and lane closures
- Construction
- Critical incidents
- AMBER alerts
Additionally, connections are available for:
- Accident reporting
- HERO requests
- MARTA and Transit options
- Rideshare (Carpool or Vanpool)
- Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International and Savannah/Hilton Head International airports
- Tourism information
- Neighboring state 511 systems (Florida, North Carolina, Tennessee)
Where is Georgia 511 available?
Georgia 511 provides information on interstates and state roads across all of Georgia. Information is also available on some secondary roads and surface streets within metro Atlanta.
How is Georgia 511 accessed?
Georgia 511 is accessed through any telephone service, mobile or landline, by dialing 511.
What does it cost to use Georgia 511?
The service is free. If calling from a mobile phone, normal airtime or roaming charges do apply.
Are there limited hours of operation?
Georgia 511 is available 24-hours a day, seven days a week.
Is there a toll-free number available if I want to access Georgia 511 from outside the state?
Yes, the number is 877-MYGA511.
Is there a website?
Yes, the address is www.511ga.org.
Is the system available in languages other than English?
Not at this time.
Usage Tips
Can callers bypass the prompts and speak directly to a live operator?
Yes, a live operator can be reached by selecting option one or option nine.
What if the system doesn’t recognize a road name or number when spoken?
The system will continue to update and improve upon voice recognition services. If there is an issue with a specific route not being recognized by the system, callers are urged to use the full name of the road or interstate, rather than an abbreviation or nickname.
Does the system provide directions or alternate routes?
If there is a major incident, such as a road closure or detour, alternate routes may be provided. Otherwise, operators do not typically supply callers with directions or alternate routes.
Do motorists have the ability to report incidents?
Yes, Georgia DOT encourages motorists to update the system with relevant travel information. To do this, select the first menu option to speak with an operator.
Technology
How does Georgia 511 gather travel information?
Georgia 511 is based on an Intelligent Transportation System, which integrates technology-based data sources, information processing and communication services.
Statewide, Emergency 911 dispatch centers, Georgia State Patrol, HERO units and the general public contribute information on current road conditions. GDOT districts supply construction and road closure updates. The National Weather Service provides details on major weather problems, such as hurricanes, snow and heavy rain.
For metro Atlanta, a host of traffic management tools gather additional details. More than 350 closed-circuit cameras with 360-degree pan, tilt and zoom capabilities are spaced every mile. Over 1,400 video detection system cameras are spaced every third of a mile. These tools, beyond monitoring conditions, allow for calculation of volume and speed data, which is then made available through Georgia 511. These systems are monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Is information on trip times available statewide?
At this time, trip time estimates are focused on the metro Atlanta area. As new technologies are implemented, some of which are currently in development, trip times will become available in other parts of the state.
How often is travel information updated on Georgia 511?
The service offers real-time travel information and is updated constantly as information becomes available, 24-hours a day.
How does Georgia 511 provide information from other transportation modes such as transit, rail and airports?
For this type of information, Georgia 511 serves as a portal that provides connections to call centers at the appropriate service, facility or agency.
System Management
Who operates Georgia 511?
The Georgia Department of Transportation operates 511. The system is part of a national initiative; however, each participating state’s Department of Transportation operates its own service.
Where is the system based?
Georgia’s 511 system is managed from the state’s Transportation Management Center, an information clearinghouse and technology center that brings together data and serves as home to the system’s live operators.
How many operators work on the system?
Staffing varies based on peak travel versus non-peak travel times. At the time of launch, the service will typically be staffed by 15 live operators during peak travel times. Georgia DOT will expand or adjust staffing of the operations center as consumer demand requires.
How is 511 funded?
The system and operations center are federally funded, as is the Transportation Management Center.
National Perspective
Does Georgia 511 connect to systems in other states?
Georgia travelers have the ability to connect to systems in Tennessee, Florida and North Carolina. These are the neighboring systems that are currently in operation. As additional neighboring states come online, Georgia 511 will add connectivity.
How does the Georgia system compare with other states?
Other states do offer similar services; however, Georgia also offers estimated travel times and accessibility to live operators. Additionally, Georgia 511 is a statewide system whereas other states, such as Florida, utilize multiple regional systems.
How many other states offer 511?
As of summer 2007, 29 states have operable 511 systems.
When will all states have a 511 program?
A 2010 target has been set for a full national program implementation. That goal was set by The National 511 Deployment Coalition, a group consisting of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) and the Intelligent Transportation Society of America along with support from the United States Department of Transportation.
What are the benefits of 511?
The National 511 Deployment Coalition reports that motorists in states operating 511 systems see reduced 911 calls, increased partnership opportunities and reduced traffic during peak times of congestion. Motorists benefit from added convenience, time savings and peace of mind.
Georgia 511 and NaviGAtor
Will Georgia 511 replace NaviGAtor?
No, 511 and NaviGAtor work together to supply travel information across multiple platforms.
What is the difference between 511 and NaviGAtor?
NaviGAtor is a computer network-based system focused on metro Atlanta roadways. Georgia 511 incorporates and expands upon NaviGAtor’s technology to offer phone access for travel and transportation information across the entire state. Additional services include the ability to speak to a live operator and connections to other transportation services such as airlines, bus and rail information.
Will the Georgia 511 website and the NaviGAtor website merge together?
As Georgia 511 launches, the two sites will be interconnected, but will remain separate. Based on user demand and advances in the technologies, GDOT may merge the two services.
Georgia 511 and *DOT
What about the existing *DOT service?
Georgia 511 will replace *DOT, but both services will operate simultaneously to ensure that *DOT callers are informed of the new service. A cutoff date for *DOT has not yet been determined.
Issues
What is the Georgia Department of Transportation’s position on using a cell phone to call 511 while driving?
GDOT recommends putting safety first by calling 511 before motorists start their trip or while their vehicle is stopped.
Can callers use 511 to make emergency calls?
In the case of an emergency, callers are urged to call 911.
How does the system operate near state borders that have similar systems?
Travelers may experience some crossover between state systems near borders if calling from mobile phones. Which service is accessed is dependent upon the cell tower location through which the mobile phone connects.
