Feasibility of Implementing the 511 National Traveler Information Number in Texas
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Technical Report Documentation Page 1. Report No. 2. Government Accession No. 3. Recipient's Catalog No. TX-02/4951-2 4. Title and Subtitle 5. Report Date FEASIBILITY OF IMPLEMENTING THE 511 NATIONAL June 2001 TRAVELER INFORMATION NUMBER IN TEXAS Resubmitted: October 2001 6. Performing Organization Code 7. Author(s) 8. Performing Organization Report No. Melisa D. Finley and Gerald L. Ullman Report 4951-2 9. Performing Organization Name and Address 10. Work Unit No. (TRAIS) Texas Transportation Institute The Texas A&M University System 11. Contract or Grant No. College Station, Texas 77843-3135 Project No. 7-4951 12. Sponsoring Agency Name and Address 13. Type of Report and Period Covered Texas Department of Transportation Research: Research and Technology Implementation Office June 1999-May 2001 P. O. Box 5080 14. Sponsoring Agency Code Austin, Texas 78763-5080 15. Supplementary Notes Research performed in cooperation with the Texas Department of Transportation. Research Project Title: Improved ITS Information Network for Incident Management and Travelers 16. Abstract Project In this report, researchers assess the feasibility of implementing a three-digit (511) traveler information number within Texas. Researchers reviewed implementation efforts in other states, contacted key telephone company representatives and associations to identify major issues, and analyzed possible implementation approaches of a 511 number for TxDOT. Based on this research, the researchers recommended that TxDOT consider the following: • TxDOT should consider serving as the lead agency for adoption of the 511 traveler information number in Texas and convert its existing road-condition telephone number to utilize the 511 number. • TxDOT should establish and maintain close contact with the Texas Public Utilities Commission and the Texas Telephone Association to monitor the progress of telecommunication carriers as they work to resolve technical issues regarding 511 implementation. • TxDOT should become involved in the national working group that is developing guidelines regarding the content, consistency, and funding for a 511 system. • The individual TxDOT districts should serve as the facilitator and coordinator of future regional 511 systems in their respective major metropolitan areas. 17. Key Words 18. Distribution Statement 511, N11, Abbreviated Dialing Code, Traveler No restrictions. This document is available to the Information public through NTIS: National Technical Information Service 5285 Port Royal Road Springfield, Virginia 22161 19. Security Classif.(of this report) 20. Security Classif.(of this page) 21. No. of Pages 22. Price Unclassified Unclassified 36 Form DOT F 1700.7 (8-72) Reproduction of completed page authorized FEASIBILITY OF IMPLEMENTING THE 511 NATIONAL TRAVELER INFORMATION NUMBER IN TEXAS by Melisa D. Finley Associate Transportation Researcher Texas Transportation Institute and Gerald L. Ullman, Ph.D., P.E. Program Manager Texas Transportation Institute Report 4951-2 Project Number 7-4951 Research Project Title: Improved ITS Information Network for Incident Management and Travelers Sponsored by the Texas Department of Transportation June 2001 Resubmitted: October 2001 TEXAS TRANSPORTATION INSTITUTE The Texas A&M University System College Station, Texas 77843-3135 DISCLAIMER The contents of this report reflect the views of the authors, who are responsible for the facts and the accuracy of the data presented herein. The contents do not necessarily reflect the official views or policies of the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). This report is not intended to constitute a standard, specification, or regulation, nor is it intended for construction, bidding, or permit purposes. The engineer in charge of the project was Dr. Gerald L. Ullman, P.E. #66876. v ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The authors would like to thank the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) who sponsored the research and the following individuals who provided guidance and expertise in various phases of the study: Rita Brohman, formerly of TxDOT, who served as the Project Director during the first year of the project; David Fink of TxDOT who served as Project Director during the second year of the project; Sally Wegmann of TxDOT who served as the Project Coordinator; the members of the Project Monitoring Committee; Janis Ervin of the Public Utilities Commission, and Claudia Morgan of the Texas Telephone Association. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS Page LIST OF TABLES....................................................................................................................... viii 1. INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................1 NEED FOR RESEARCH ....................................................................................................1 REPORT ORGANIZATION AND SCOPE........................................................................1 2. NATIONAL 511 IMPLEMENTATION ....................................................................................3 NATIONAL GUIDANCE...................................................................................................3 CASE STUDIES..................................................................................................................5 Arizona.....................................................................................................................5 Kentucky..................................................................................................................6 Michigan ..................................................................................................................7 Minnesota.................................................................................................................8 San Francisco...........................................................................................................8 Utah..........................................................................................................................9 Summary of Early Adopters 511 Implementation...................................................9 LESSONS LEARNED.......................................................................................................11 3. 511 IMPLEMENTATION IN TEXAS.....................................................................................13 REGIONAL COOPERATION..........................................................................................13 DESIGNATION OF A LEAD AGENCY .........................................................................14 CONTACT WITH THE STATE REGULATORY AGENCY .........................................15 CONTACT WITH THE TELECOMMUNICATION CARRIERS ..................................16 SYSTEM DESIGN............................................................................................................17 System Issues.........................................................................................................17 Telecommunications Issues ...................................................................................17 COSTS AND FUNDING ..................................................................................................18 Costs.......................................................................................................................18 Funding ..................................................................................................................19 ONGOING NATIONAL DISCUSSIONS.........................................................................20 4. RECOMMENDATIONS..........................................................................................................21 5. REFERENCES .........................................................................................................................23 APPENDIX: CONTACT INFORMATION.................................................................................25 vii LIST OF TABLES Table Page 1 511 Deployment Coordination Program Draft Policies...............................................................4 2 511 Deployment Coordination Program Timeline and Deliverables ..........................................5 3 Summary of 511 Implementation Plans by Early Adopters ......................................................10 4 Existing Transportation Phone Systems in Texas......................................................................14 5 Advantages and Disadvantages of TxDOT Being the Lead Agency.........................................15 6 Contact Information...................................................................................................................27 viii 1. INTRODUCTION Abbreviated dialing codes (N11 phone numbers) allow callers to connect to a location in the phone network that otherwise would only be accessible utilizing a seven- or ten-digit phone number. There are only eight possible N11 codes; thus, they are among the scarcest of numbering resources. The most widely known N11 number is 911, which is used nationwide for emergency services. Other N11 numbers are 311 for non-emergency police and other governmental services, 411 for directory assistance, and 711 for access to Telecom Relay Services (TRS). These easy to remember numbers (compared to a seven- or ten-digit number) facilitate the caller’s ability to gain information or receive help. Currently, travel information such as roadway construction and accident locations is provided by multiple transportation agencies with