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Florida's 511
What is 511?
The Florida Department of Transportation's free 511 Travel Information System provides bilingual (English and Spanish) real-time traffic information, including commuter travel times, congestion, construction, lane closures, severe weather and emergency evacuation information on all Florida interstate highways; toll roads including Florida's Turnpike; and many other metropolitan roadways. The resource is available 24 hours a day via phone by dialing 511, or on the Web at www.FL511.com.

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When and why was 511 initiated?
The U.S. Department of Transportation petitioned the FCC in 1999 for a three-digit dialing code to make it easier for motorists to access travel information. The FCC assigned 511 to the transportation community July 21, 2000, replacing more than 300 different traffic information phone numbers.

Florida's first 511 system went live June 2002 in Central Florida. The Southeast Florida system went live July 2002. The 511 Tampa Bay system launched September 2004. The first-generation Statewide Florida system launched November 2005. The Northeast Florida 511 system launched October 2006 and Southwest Florida 511 launched April 2007. The new, next-generation, bilingual Statewide 511 system launched early 2009, combining all of the regional systems.

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What travel information is available on 511?
Florida's Statewide 511 phone and Web system gives real-time travel reports on all Florida interstate highways; toll roads, including Florida's Turnpike, Miami-Dade Expressway Authority roads and Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority roads; and other major metropolitan roadways. The statewide system provides information on roadway conditions such as commuter travel times, construction, lane closures, crashes, congestion and severe weather affecting traffic. Callers can access traffic, transit, travel times, airports, seaports, or request a specific roadway, city or county.

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What roads are covered on 511?
Click here for the "511 covered roads" pdf

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Is there a charge for using 511?
No. 511 is a free resource to the public provided by FDOT. Users can call 24 hours a day, seven days a week to hear up-to-the-minute travel information. However, cell phone users should be aware that normal minute and text message charges may apply.

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How do I reach the 511 phone system?
Dial 511 from a cell phone or landline. The call is free, although standard cell phone minutes may apply. Florida's Statewide 511 is fully bilingual, offering users the option to receive information in English or Spanish.

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How will I know what information to ask for when calling 511?
511 is a voice-activated and touch-tone phone system that will guide you through menu options. 511 will ask if you would like information on traffic, transit, travel times, airports and seaports. Callers can skip the language and main menu prompts by interrupting the system and immediately asking for any of the main menu options or by naming a city, county or roadway in English. Spanish-speaking callers must first request "Español" before giving other commands.
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How do I ask for information on a specific roadway?
When asking for information on a roadway, first request the roadway by name or number. Then ask for a crossroad, mile marker, exit number, city or county. For example, say "I-75," then "Gainesville" to receive traffic information on I-75 around Gainesville. You can also ask for a city or country first, then ask about a specific roadway.
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What can I do when the system cannot recognize what I am saying?
When calling 511, you should reduce background noise like radios, open windows, air conditioner fans and other people talking. These actions can help the 511 system understand you better. You should also speak slowly and clearly.

Also remember to be safe when you call 511. You can call 511 or check out FL511.com before leaving home or the office to check conditions on your planned route. Long-distance travelers can call from a rest area, restaurant, gas station or other stop to avoid using a cell phone when driving. You can also ask a passenger to call 511 instead.

There are several steps you can take if you're having trouble making the 511 system understand you:
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How can I get help when calling 511?
If at any time during your call you need help, simply say, "Help", and the automated system will assist you with specific information for the section of the call you are in.

Callers can also say, "Tutorial", to hear recorded instructions about how to best navigate through each part of the 511 system.

Additionally, through February 2010, live operators are available to assist callers from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. Florida's 511 system will automatically transfer callers to live technical help after the system has failed to recognize a request three times. Callers can also say, "Operator", or "Agent" to transfer to live technical help. Operators will answer questions about how to get the information you need and will suggest voice prompts to guide you. The operator will then place you back into the system at the main menu.

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Does my cell phone area code determine the 511 information I receive?
All callers within Florida's borders will reach the Statewide 511 system, regardless of their cell phone area code. Travelers entering or exiting Florida from Georgia have the option to switch from Florida 511 to Georgia 511 and vice versa.

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Does 511 know where I am calling from?
The 511 system recognizes when a caller is within Florida borders, but not their specific location. Callers from anywhere in the state can request information by city, county or highway.

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How are roads chosen to be covered by 511?
Generally, the 511 system provides information on roadways which FDOT is able to monitor with its network of sensors and cameras. Florida's 511 covers the most-traveled roads in each region of the state. FDOT is committed to providing drivers with accurate, real-time traffic information.

FDOT is constantly expanding its traffic monitoring network and will add new roads to the 511 system as resources become available.

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How is the information collected?
FDOT has deployed intelligent transportation technology on all Florida interstates; toll roads, including Florida's Turnpike; and many other major metropolitan roadways. FDOT partners -- the Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority and Miami Dade Expressway Authority -- have also deployed similar technology along their expressways.

Traffic Management Centers (TMCs) collect information about roadway conditions throughout Florida. The data comes from sensors in and alongside the road, traffic surveillance cameras, and reports from Road Rangers, Florida Highway Patrol and local law enforcement.

Citizens are encouraged to report crashes and congestion that are not already reported on 511. Simply say "Feedback" while connected to 511, and leave a detailed message regarding the location, roadway name, direction of travel and the type of incident that occurred.

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How often is the information updated?
Information is updated on an ongoing basis as incidents occur and situations change on roadways. Travel times are automatically updated every few minutes around the clock.

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How does the information available from 511 differ from the travel information I get on the radio and television?
With 511 you can expect to receive considerably more route-specific information than you hear in a 30-second traffic news report, and you will be able to access the information on demand, whenever you need it.

Additionally, with My Florida 511 free personalized services, you can receive a text message, e-mail or phone alert when there is a problem on your programmed route.

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Why is FDOT integrating the regional 511 systems?
Over the past six years, different regional 511 systems have been deployed throughout Florida, serving the most congested areas of the state. Each system worked differently causing confusion among travelers. Since Florida is the fourth largest state with 15 million licensed drivers and 80 million annual visitors, FDOT realized the state needed an integrated, seamless travel information resource. The new Statewide 511 improves customer service by offering a consistent user interface and information throughout the state. This also gave FDOT the opportunity to upgrade the 511 resource, including expanded personalized services and bilingual functionality statewide.

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What public safety alerts are carried on the 511 system?
The public safety alerts carried on 511 are voluntary, cooperative partnerships among law enforcement, FDOT, other agencies and local broadcasters. FDOT uses overhead electronic message signs and 511 to get public safety alerts out to the public.

AMBER Alert is the name of the nation's child abduction alert system. AMBER stands for "America's Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response." It is designed to alert the public when a child has been abducted and is believed to be in serious danger.

Silver Alerts are designed to alert the public and law enforcement agencies to be on the lookout for missing adults or citizens with cognitive impairments. This program is especially targeted to protect adults with Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia. Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) Alerts provide important information about an offender(s) who has seriously injured or killed a law enforcement officer.

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Is 511 compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)?
Yes. The 511 phone system recognizes both verbal and touch-tone commands. Florida's 511 Web site, FL511.com, is text based. No flash animations or plug-ins are used. Additionally, all maps on FL511.com are configurable to use colors that are discernable to the colorblind.

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How can I help make the system better?
Just use it. The more you use the system, the more FDOT can tweak and refine it to better serve Florida drivers. Feedback is always welcome, so if you have a specific suggestion about how FDOT can improve, leave your comments here.

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What other states have a 511 system?
To see a list of other 511 systems nationwide visit Deploy511.org.

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How do I access the 511 Web site?
When using a computer, log onto www.FL511.com. If using a Web-enabled mobile device, go to m.FL511.com.

Web users are able to access the same detailed traffic information as 511 callers and additional information and travel features in English and Spanish. This includes real-time travel information on all covered roadways; still and streaming roadway camera images; regional and statewide traffic alerts; AMBER, Silver and LEO public safety alert messages; construction; crash and lane closure updates; and severe weather affecting travel.

To fully access the functionality of FL511.com, you need to have Java Script enabled in your Internet browser. If you're having trouble getting the site to work properly, consult your browser's help menu to make sure Java Script is enabled.

RealPlayer must be installed on your computer to use some of the functionality of this site, such as viewing live traffic camera feeds. If you do not have RealPlayer, click here.

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Does FL511.com work on both PCs and Macs?
Yes.

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How much does it cost to use FL511.com?
Like Florida's 511 phone system, FL511.com and My Florida 511 Personalized Services are free traffic information resources provided to you by FDOT. Standard cell phone minutes and text message charges may apply.

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What is available on FL511.com that isn't available by calling 511?
From FL511.com you can view traffic camera images from around the state, consult regional maps, get more detailed information on roadway conditions and link directly to many 511 travel partners, including airports, seaports and transit agencies.

FL511.com also allows users to sign up for free My Florida 511 Personalized Services.

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What different ways can I request information from the 511 phone system?
There are three ways you can quickly get traffic information on a particular covered highway. Florida 511 allows you to request information through:
  • voice commands
  • touch-tone commands only
  • both voice and touch-tone commands interchangeably
To use voice commands:
  • Callers can skip the language and main menu prompts by interrupting the system and immediately asking for information in English. Spanish-speaking callers must first request "Español" or press 2 before giving other commands.
  • Say the name of a covered highway (I-75, U.S. 1, State Road 408)
  • Say the name of a city or county, or say a mile marker or exit number
To use touch-tone only mode (turns off all voice recognition — useful in noisy environments):
  • Spanish-speaking callers must first request, "Español" or press 2 for the system to operate in Spanish. (If a user calls 511 and immediately switches to touch-tone mode without requesting "Español" first, the system will operate in English.)
  • Press 88 at any point during the call to enter touch-tone only mode. This will disable voice command options
  • Enter the highway code (I-95: press 95#, I-4: press 4# — Click here for a complete list of 511 touch-tone codes.)
  • Enter a code for a city, county or an exit or mile marker number (Click here for a complete list of 511 touch-tone codes.)
  • To return to the main menu, press 66
  • Press 88 again to exit touch-tone only mode.
To use touch-tone and voice commands interchangeably in a single call (You do NOT have to press 88. 511 will still accept touch-tone codes and voice commands, too.) Go to top of page
How can a deaf or hard-of-hearing individual use the 511 phone system?
The 711 Telecommunications Relay Service allows the deaf and hard-of-hearing who use telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) to access the voice recognition and response features of Florida's 511. To access 511, a user would need to know the county from which they are calling or to which they are traveling.

Here's how a 511 call through 711 might happen:

Customer: Dials 711

Operator: "Florida Relay Operator (insert CA ID#) M(male)/F(female) GA (go ahead)"

Customer: "Please dial Florida 511 GA"

Operator: "County you are calling from pls Q GA"

Customer: Provides the county

The Operator then connects the customer to the 511 system. The Operator types what is heard after dialing the number. The customer would request information from 511 following the same call flows as other 511 callers, requesting their language, then a highway, city or county; or ask for travel times, transit, airports and seaports, or other options.

NOTE: Not all Florida counties have 511-covered roadways. If a caller calls from a county where there are no 511-covered roadways, the operator may inform the caller "I'M SORRY 511 SERVICE IS NOT AVAILABLE IN THAT COUNTY GA"

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Why is there no report on 511 about a crash I see beside the highway?
It takes time for accurate traffic incident information to be collected, verified and posted to Florida 511 phone system and Web sites. Much incident information is reported to Traffic Management Center (TMC) operators by Florida Highway Patrol, Road Rangers or local law enforcement. TMC operators must collect and verify that information, often using FDOT traffic surveillance cameras to visually inspect a crash scene. Once they have the information they need, it is entered into FDOT’s SunGuide Traffic Management Software. From there, data from all over the state is collected into one database, then sent to the 511 system to be added to the phone, Web and personalized services reports. This process can take up to several minutes from the time an incident is first identified to the time information about it is available on 511.

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