The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) officially has a new statewide, bilingual Florida 511 Traveler Information System. Interstate 4 motorists who regularly use 511 to know the traffic conditions before traveling will hear that the language preferences and menu options have changed. Launched this summer, 511 now operates as a fully bilingual system, recognizing both English and Spanish. After selecting a language, users can immediately access traffic information and travel times for a specific region, by asking  for a ‘city’, ‘county’ or ‘roadway’. (Sample voice commands: “English, Orange County, Interstate 4”)

Additionally, 511 now has a fully integrated statewide Web site: FL511.com. By logging onto FL511.com, users can access the same travel information from the 511 phone system plus see live traffic camera views and an interactive map of the state showing where roadway incidents are happening in real-time.
 
Perhaps the most anticipated new feature is the My Florida 511 personalized services. Users can go to the My Florida 511 tab on FL511.com and create a free account, then set up custom routes and alerts for the routes they travel most often. Signing up for an alert allows users to automatically receive traffic information via phone call, text message or e-mail. My Florida 511 personalized services helps ease the stress of a daily commute on I-4 by alerting users when there is important information that will affect their drive.

FDOT’s new My Florida 511 features the following personalized services options statewide:

Free Customized Routes

• Program your most frequently traveled routes using 511-covered roads  
• Once 511 is dialed, My Florida 511 users hear a report on programmed routes first  
• Ask for routes by name when calling 511

Free Personalized Alerts

• 511 will alert you about unusual roadway conditions
• Program alerts by time, day and severity of conditions
• Receive alerts by e-mail, text message and/or phone call (cell phone minutes and/or text  message charges may apply) 

The new Florida 511 provides a consistent, statewide interface, so callers from Pensacola to Key West can benefit from access to traffic and travel information 24/7! With My Florida 511, users don’t even have to call 511 to get the information that affects their commute. 511 can call, text or e-mail you important updates on your programmed route, such as when a crash on I-4 results in lanes blocked and heavy congestion.

Remember, 511 is FDOT’s free resource to every driver in Florida. Give 511 a call before getting on the road, or visit FL511.com to get Central Florida’s official traffic update from FDOT.