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March 15, 2004

For more information contact:
Michael Jackson
515-239-1192
michael.jackson@dot.state.ia.us

Iowa’s 511 travel information service sets more new records in February

AMES, Iowa – Following two months of record level call volumes, Iowa’s 511 travel information service set more new records in February.

“More Iowa travelers are relying on 511 as their travel information source,” said Michael Jackson of the Iowa Department of Transportation. “During February, thousands of motorists either called or visited the 511 Web site for the latest winter road conditions. “

  • During February, 123,124 calls were placed to 511. The peak call day was Feb. 6, 2004, when 26,916 calls were received.
  • The average call lasted two minutes and 25 seconds, breaking a previous record set in December 2003. The extended average call length contributed to another new record – the total minutes per month soared by 44 percent in February to 298,029 minutes.
  • The peak call hour was 1 p.m., Feb. 2, 2004, 2,421 calls were recorded between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. that day.
  • At one point of peak utilization during the month, 209 simultaneous calls were received.
  • The highest number of visitors to the 511ia.org Web site last month were recorded Feb. 5, when 15,364 people visited the site that day. This peak visitor count was followed by 13,704 visits Feb. 2.
  • A total of 58,981 people visited the Web site during February, where they viewed a record number of 531,196 pages of information.

"Iowa 511 Travel Info" is a public service provided by the Iowa Department of Transportation, in partnership with the Iowa State Patrol and telecommunication companies serving the state.

Available 24 hours a day and seven days a week, the service can be accessed by calling 511 or visiting 511ia.org or iowaroadconditions.org via the Internet. While especially critical during winter weather, the service also offers information about roadwork, vehicle width and height restrictions for commercial vehicle operators, National Weather Service forecasts and alerts, major traffic incidents, and Amber Alerts.

511 is currently available to more than 57 million Americans nationwide. Service is offered in the following locations: Cincinnati, Ohio; Nebraska; Utah; I-81 Corridor in Virginia; Arizona; Orlando; Minnesota; Southeast Florida; Washington State; Iowa; South Dakota; Kentucky; San Francisco Bay area; Montana; Vermont; North Dakota; Alaska; Maine; New Hampshire; Oregon; and Kansas.

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