What's the 511

When you are a nosy person, you want to know the 411 -- information. But when you are traveling in Alaska, you should know the 511 before you head out.

Travelers in Alaska are now able to access weather-related road conditions, road construction news and a host of other pieces of travel-related information by picking up the phone and dialing 511, a free call.

"Providing quick and convenient access to current road, weather and other travel information is one of the most important services Alaska DOTPF [Department of Transportation and Public Facilities] can provide," said commissioner Mike Barton in a release. "The importance of such information is critical given the harsh climate and long distances between our communities. By making this a free phone call, we improve safety for all."

Alaska is one of eight states to have joined the 511 force. The states are sharing the costs of maintaining the 511 call center and Web site -- 511.alaska.gov -- where people can get up-to-the-minute information on the Internet.

"By sharing the development and operating costs we are achieving a level of service that is literally a small fraction of what we would pay to do this individually," Barton said. "Better traveler information leads to safer driver decisions. Doing so while achieving higher productivity at lower cost is a double bonus."

No additional staff is needed for the project, organizers said. Any state or local employee with relevant information can access the database and provide the information. Once it is entered, the Web site and 511 call center automatically update as well. The system also pulls from other organizations such as the National Weather Service for information.

The program was born three years ago, when the Federal Communications Commission officially designated 511 as a nationwide number for travel information. Alaska was one of the first states to join the 511 team, and relevant agencies have been training with the system.

"At present, both the state troopers and DOTPF employees have received training on the system," said Jill Sullivan, the project manager for the service.

Sullivan hopes to get local governments to partner with the service.

"They can join at virtually no cost, adding to the wealth of information this system can deliver to our customers," Sullivan said.

Other places where the 511 Travel in the Know system is being used include Utah, Nebraska, Kentucky, Minnesota, the Interstate 81 corridor in Virginia, San Francisco Bay area and Cincinnati's metro area.