Alberta motorists have access to up-to-date road information with the launch of the Province’s 511 Alberta traveller information service.
The new service, announced by Minister of Transportation Ric McIver on Feb. 4 at Calgary’s McDougall Centre, is available online or via telephone 24-hours a day.
“In this day and age, with the demands on a person’s time, we know that time is valuable and we want to make sure you can access the information as quick as possible,” said McIver during a teleconference announcement. “Today, I am excited to launch Alberta’s new official road service 511 Alberta. 511 Alberta is about delivering our mandate to have the safest roads in Canada.”
The new service, which replaces the Alberta Motor Association’s AMA Road reports, will allow travellers to see road conditions with more than 100 cameras placed throughout the province, a number that represents an increase of 25 per cent over the former standard.
Travellers can view photos taken from several angles by the cameras, which will be updated every 20 minutes, online at www.511.alberta.ca
AMA road reports have been in place in various formats since 1927, using data supplied by the Alberta government.
“AMA and the Government of Alberta have enjoyed a proud history of working together to make our roads safer for Alberta families,” said Don Smitten, AMA president in a press release.
“AMA supports the introduction of the 511 service and we’ll continue to partner with the government to ensure our members and Albertans have access to timely and relevant traveller information. We look forward to continuing to work together to enhance the safety of travellers.”
On the 511 site, motorists can also access interactive maps linked to highway conditions, weather information, construction updates, incident reports including detours and closures, border crossing wait times and information about provincial and national parks.
Similar information is available by calling 5-1-1 toll-free from anywhere in the province through a touch tone or voice command phone.
Updates will also be available on the @511Alberta Twitter feed.
Alberta’s new service will tie into similar information across Canada and the US. 511 Alberta cost $314,000, half of which was provided through a national grant.
According to McIver, 511 Alberta was the result of a number of groups working together including AMA, Alberta Motor Transportation Association, Alberta Road Builders and Heavy Construction Association, Calgary Police Service and RCMP.
The new service also introduces some changes to the description of road conditions. 511 Alberta is moving from descriptors like “fair” and “poor” to “partly-covered” and “bare” to create consistency with how other jurisdictions describe road conditions.
“We wanted to keep the new service as simple as possible,” said McIver. “I think you will agree, it is a pretty handy website.”
The Feb. 4 launch is the first phase of the new service. Future phases may include more features and information to respond to travellers’ evolving needs, according to a press release.
For more information, visit www.511.alberta.ca or dial 5-1-1.
