Idaho 511 system enhanced

January 4, 2014

Idaho continues to improve its 511 Traveler Services system at 511.idaho.gov by automating road-condition alerts.

A few other states incorporate data gathered by remote weather sensors into their highway reports, but Idaho might be the only state generating automated road-condition alerts, explained Tony Ernest, coordinator of the Idaho Transportation Department’s 511 system.

Recent enhancements to more than 100 Road Weather Information Stations (RWIS) monitoring highways throughout the state provide new tools for motorists to make safe driving decisions.

Down-looking optical sensors added to the RWIS monitors can determine actual road-surface conditions, including whether a road surface is dry, snow-covered, icy or slushy. The sensors also can calculate road-surface friction, classified as good, slick or very slick. Standard weather sensors at each site detect hazardous weather conditions such as high winds or fog.

The newest enhancement to the RWIS monitors allows the stations to generate real-time active roadway and hazardous weather-condition alerts and alert icons directly to ITD’s 511 system that can be accessed through the full-feature site. Work to provide similar automated alerts on the 511 trucker’s site soon will be complete.

Automating the process of updating ITD’s 511 site provides faster updates -- every 15 minutes on average -- and more accurate information.

When accessed, an RWIS displays camera images, weather data and a pink banner identifying any current alerts. A mouse hover over an RWIS station will highlight the area of influence for roadway conditions. A grey circle represents weather condition areas.

“I’m really pleased with the way these enhancements worked out,” said Ernest. “It’s up and working well.”

“The system additions will be useful to travelers during all seasons, not just winter,” he added.