The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) announces that its 511 Traveler Information System has received more than 100,000 calls since the system was activated in the fall of 2010.
“We are pleased that many motorists are using this free resource to navigate along South Carolina’s roadways, reducing commuting times, avoiding areas of congestion and saving fuel,” said Secretary of Transportation Robert J. St. Onge Jr. “By minimizing areas of traffic incidents, using this system can also improve safety on our highways.”
The 511 system provides real-time traffic information on all South Carolina Interstate highways and some of the highways along the coast. The statewide system provides information on construction, lane closures, crashes, congestion and severe weather affecting traffic.
Users can call 511 or access www.511SC.org 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. However, users should be aware that cell phone minutes and text message charges may apply.
By dialing 511 in South Carolina, users through voice prompts may access current information concerning conditions on Business I-85, I-20, I-26, I-77, I-85, I-95, I-126, I-385, I-526, I-585, SC-277, SC-22, and SC-31. In addition to these areas limited coverage will be provided on SC-170, US-21 US-278, in Beaufort and US-501 in Myrtle Beach.
Tony Sheppard, SCDOT’s Director of Traffic Engineering, said an attractive feature of the system is that it is designed to give each user personalized service, available by setting up a free account on www.511SC.org.
“Web users can go to the “My SC511” tab on www.511SC.org and create a free account, then set up custom routes and register to receive alerts,” Sheppard said. “Signing up for alerts allows users to automatically receive important traffic information via a phone call, text message or e-mail.”
Users can program alerts for certain roadways in South Carolina, their own custom routes or receive messages that announce important incidents such as wildfires and hurricanes or AMBER and Law Enforcement Officer alerts. Once an alert is programmed, the user chooses the method (phone call, text or e-mail), days of the week and times they would like to receive the alert.
To stay safe on our highways, SCDOT advises users to make 511 calls before getting on the road, have a non-driver in the vehicle make the calls or pull over in a safe place before making calls.
SCDOT has secured agreements with several wireless/landline providers to be part of the 511 system including AT&T Wireless and landline, Verizon wireless, Sprint/Nextel, Comporium, T-Mobile, Farmers Telephone Cooperatives, Horry Telephone Cooperative, Sandhill Telephone Cooperative, West Carolina, Time Warner and Spirit Telecom. SCDOT is working to secure agreements with other carriers.
For people with a phone service that has not yet agreed to be included, the system can still be accessed by dialing 1-877-511-4672.
511 traveler information is collected and continually updated by SCDOT Traffic Management Centers throughout the state. The data comes from traffic cameras, reports from South Carolina Highway Patrol, local law enforcement and SCDOT’s SHEP crews.
