Politics & Government
SHA to Offer Traffic Hotline
The state announced a new hotline for drivers who want real-time traffic updates.
The State Highway Administration announced a real-time traffic update service Wednesday morning that will be available next fall.
By dialing 511, drivers will be able to receive travel information 24 hours a day thanks to the state's contract with the Rockville-based company "Telvent." Gov. Martin O'Malley said in a statement from the SHA that much of this information is already available to state officials, but will now be accessible to citizens, too.
"With the 511 system, the public will be able to access much of the same information," O'Malley said. "Knowing traffic conditions along a particular route will allow a motorist to make an informed decision on how best to avoid a bottleneck or crash site, saving time and fuel."
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The state also plans to make the service available via social networks as well as online.
"From Western Maryland to the Eastern Shore, the deployment of 511 next fall will be a tremendous value for customers, saving them precious time otherwise wasted sitting in traffic," state Transportation Secretary Beverley Swaim-Staley said in the statement.
