Idaho 511 adds weather forecasts

January 24, 2018

Improvements to the 511 Traveler Services platform will allow drivers to more efficiently track driving conditions, and give them the weather forecast on highway routes. Tony Ernest, the manager of the 511.Idaho.gov platform, said drivers can now track the weather forecast on highway routes that experience changing weather conditions, especially during the winter months. Ernest said the transportation department partnered with the National Weather Service in Pocatello to offer the weather forecast. The 511 platform takes specific weather forecast information from areas along a section of highway, and creates an overall forecast for that route. “I’ve been trying to get useful weather information to the public,” Ernest said. “The weather forecast information is really important from a planning standpoint for a traveler.” There may be multiple weather forecasts for a highway, depending on its length. Weather forecasts are available for 16 individual sections of Interstate 84, for example. Idaho 1, in northern Idaho, is covered by one weather forecast. The weather forecast option represents a new, innovative technology that is funded by the transportation department and developed for Idaho. The department is the first one to offer weather forecast information in this format, and it is active on all 511 versions and the smartphone app. To view weather forecasts, click on a highway on the 511 map. The weather forecast will appear right below the description of the current road conditions. During the summer months, when weather conditions don’t change as rapidly in Idaho, forecast information may not be available. Another improvement to the 511 system is to give the option to users who have set up a personalized 511 account to program in up to three phone numbers that the system will recognize. When a caller phones in, the system recognizes the number, and offers a menu on the highway routes that the caller programs into 511. “The phone numbers are used by the system to identify you when you call in,” Ernest said. He said offering up to three phone numbers allows 511 users to choose which phones they want to call in from. For example, those interested in highway conditions can call from a cell phone, landline number from home, or from a landline number at work. All three numbers will take the caller to their account, and the routes they have saved in it. To program in the three phone numbers, individuals will need to set up a 511 account if they don’t have one. To set up an account, visit 511.idaho.gov, and click on the “Full Featured” option that is to the right of “Travelers” or to the right of “Truckers.” Then click on “Personalize your 511” on the upper left side of the page to create an account. This procedure also works for the 511 app. After an account has been set up, click on the gold star on the upper left side of the page to access your account settings and program in phone numbers.