BENEFITS

Travel Time in Demand 

in Houston and Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Let the Web Do the Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Traveler Information Gets 

Thumbs Up from Truckers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Traveler Info Is Most Valuable 

When It’s Free . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

COSTS

511 Costs Vary, But Customer 

Satisfaction Is High . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Roadside Equipment Costs. . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

DEPLOYMENT

Traveler Information Vital 

During Emergencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Mile Marker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 

LESSONS LEARNED

What Should It Say? 

Guidelines for Effective DMS . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Traveler Information Systems – 

Lessons from Experience. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Intelligent Transportation Systems 

forTraveler 

Information

U.S. Department of Transportation

Deployment Benefits 

and

Lessons Learned

In the 10 most congested areas of the country, each rush hour traveler pays an annual 

“congestion tax” of $850 to $1,600 in lost time and fuel and spends a total of almost 

8 work days each year stuck in traffic. To address this costly problem, the U.S. Department 

of Transportation launched the National Strategy to Reduce Congestion on America’s 

Transportation Network. One element of this strategy is to advance low-cost operational 

and technological improvements that increase traveler information through expanded 

use of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS).1

Traveler Information

Real-time traveler information is information that allows travelers to 

choose the most efficient mode and route to their final destination. Traveler 

information systems use ITS to provide timely and detailed information 

about traffic incidents, the weather, construction, and special events to improve travel 

time predictability, allow drivers to make better choices, and reduce congestion. 

Measurable impacts of traveler information systems include:

The use of dynamic message signs and highway advisory radio in South Carolina 

following Hurricane Floyd in 1999 made it easier for evacuees to use all freeway 

lanes as they returned home. Statistics show that traffic volume during the 

evacuation, when outbound traffic used only one side of the freeway, was 44 

percent less than traffic volume during the return trip when inbound traffic 

used both sides of the freeway.2

In California, it is estimated that the reduced travel times and vehicle operating costs 

for California travelers will provide a payback value of $100 for every $1 invested 

over the next 20 years in comprehensive statewide traveler information by using 

the generated data in other infrastructure operations.3

In 2004, 92.3 percent of callers to the San Francisco Bay Area 511 number said that 

they were satisfied with the system, as did 90.3 percent of callers to Montana’s 

statewide 511 number. In a survey of callers to Virginia’s 511 system along I-81, 

99 percent said they would call again.4

In a 2004 survey, 41 States indicated they currently deploy traveler information 

websites,5 25 use highway advisory radio,6 and 8 reported having either statewide 

or regional 5117 – a number that had grown to 26 States by September 2006.8

80 percent of surveyed visitors to Maine’s popular tourist destinations of 

Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park said that the availability of real-time 

information on the electronic departure signs influenced their decision to 

use the bus.9

•

•

•

•

•
TRAVELER INFORMATION 



When drivers in the 

Houston metro area got 

tired of seeing dynamic 

message signs (DMS) 

without useful 

information posted, they 

let Houston TranStar – 

the partnership responsible for coordinating 

the planning, design and operation of 

Houston’s transportation systems, 

emergency management functions, 

and ITS – know about it.

TranStar currently posts travel times on 

81 DMS across more than 250 centerline 

miles of Houston area freeways.10 Travel 

times are based on data collected from 

the nearly 2 million “EZ-Tag” automatic 

vehicle identification toll transponders 

currently circulating around the Houston 

metropolitan area.11 Data from these vehicle 

probes are collected at 232 supplemental 

reader stations and transmitted to 

TranStar for analysis. Reader stations are, 

on average, 2-3 miles apart, but not more 

than 5 miles apart.12

As a result of driver complaints about static 

messages posted on the DMS, TranStar 

staff conducted an Internet-based survey 

to determine the types of information 

people wanted to see posted. Results of this 

survey indicated that drivers were primarily 

interested in seeing incident information 

(93 percent) and travel times (82 percent). 

Many respondents indicated that while 

incident information is important, they 

also need travel time information 

to better determine how incidents impact 

their travel.13

The Illinois State Toll Highway Authority 

(ISTHA) covers a significant part of 

northeastern Illinois, the third most 

congested area in the country. 

ISTHA provides average travel times from 

toll plaza to toll plaza based on “I-PASS” 

toll transponder data collected by its 

electronic toll collection system. Users of 

the automated I-PASS toll collection 

system now exceed 1.5 million.14 These 

numbers provide ISTHA with a significant 

penetration of vehicle probes, providing 

high-quality, time-stamped location 

information to the Tollway in near 

real-time.15

ISTHA uses data from three sources to 

calculate travel times: I-PASS transponders, 

radar sensor stations along tolled roads, 

and loop detectors maintained by the 

Illinois Department of Transportation. 

ISTHA currently posts travel times on 

33 DMS located on tolled and nearby 

non-tolled roads.16

Although ISTHA has not conducted 

a formal study, emails and calls to the 

customer input line indicate that drivers 

approve of travel time availability 

information, and will complain when 

a non-incident-related message is posted 

during times when travel time information 

is normally available.17

Travel Time in Demand in Houston and Chicago

Benefits

At typical highway 

speeds the message 

posted on a dynamic 

message sign (DMS) 

must be presented to 

motorists in about 

8 seconds or less. This 

translates to eight words at 55 mph, seven 

words at 65 mph, and six words at 70 mph.18

Therefore, the message must count, 

and the words used must have impact. 

The most effective DMS are the ones 

that contain the following elements 

(in the order presented):

• Situation description

• Situation location

• Effect on travel (delays, lanes 

blocked, etc.)

• Action motorist should take

• Benefit of taking the action (usually 

implied by situation description).

Some tips to remember when creating 

dynamic messages include the following:19

What Should It Say? Guidelines for Effective DMS

lessons learned

• Motorists will ignore advice unless 

a reason is offered for taking it.20

The “reason” in most cases is the 

problem (Accident, Left 2 Lanes Closed, 

etc.). Motorists expect this information 

to appear first in a DMS message.

• For incidents and roadwork, the 

location should immediately follow 

the situation descriptor.21 If there is 

an incident ahead, it is important to tell 

drivers where it is so they can determine 

whether or not to change their route. If 

a lane is closed, the DMS message should 

also include that information so drivers 

can begin to merge or exit.

• When a majority of motorists are 

commuters, the incident/roadwork 

location should be referenced to 

the nearest cross-street or exit ramp.22

Commuters are very familiar with 

cross-street names and exit ramp 

names (or numbers), so these should 

be included in the message.

• When a majority of motorists would 

be unfamiliar with the names of local 

cross-streets, the incident/roadwork 

location should be described in distances 

to the nearest half-mile.23 On Interstates 

where numbers are used for exit ramps, 

the incident location can be referenced 

to the exit ramp number so non-local 

motorists can interpret the information 

as easily as local drivers. 

• It is important to maintain the credibility 

of DMS messages by changing them 

in a timely manner and by validating 

the message displayed.24 Displaying 

messages that are inaccurate leads to 

motorist confusion and can adversely 

affect both traffic flow and the 

transportation agency’s credibility. 

• Travel times should be generated 

automatically and not require a human 

operator to manually enter travel time 

data.25 It is important to note that 

effective travel time messages do not 

require the data to be 100 percent 

accurate. Research indicates that 

data with error rates of 20 percent still

produce useful traveler information.

For these and other benefits, visit: www.itsbenefits.its.dot.gov
TRAVELER INFORMATION



Although 511 system costs vary depending 

on system size and other factors, in 

States where 511 is deployed, customer 

satisfaction rates are consistently high. 

For example, Arizona has a 511 customer 

satisfaction rate of 71 percent, and 

Washington State has a satisfaction rate of 

68 percent.26 Similarly, callers to the Eastern 

Kentucky Rural Highway Information 

Project system indicated their happiness 

with 511, with 94 percent of those surveyed 

stating they were very satisfied with the 

answers and information they received.27

But informative, customer-friendly 511 

systems do require varying levels of investment. The following are representative 

examples of 511 deployment costs collected 

from around the U.S. that can apply to 

either a State or metropolitan system.28

Labor costs include personnel that are 

working on and providing support to 

the 511 system.

• Two tours by management and technical 

personnel to existing 511 deployments 

to gather information: $13,720.

• Internal information technology 

department labor charges: $100,000.

Equipment costs include software and 

hardware purchased for the 511 system as 

well as associated upgrades and expansions 

to integrate existing traveler information 

systems with the 511 system. 

• Text-to-speech and voice recognition 

software: $179,000.

Costs

On a typical day, traveler information 

is an important tool for communicating 

with the traveling public, and State and 

local agencies have typically used dynamic 

message signs (DMS) and highway 

advisory radio (HAR) in advance of exits 

and interchanges where alternative routes 

may help drivers avoid congestion delays 

or work zones. 

But traveler information systems are also 

crucial for getting information to motorists 

who need to know about evacuation routes 

and the impacts of national security or 

other emergencies. For example:

• Florida residents contemplating travel 

during extreme weather can access the 

State Department of Transportation’s 

website to view the statewide network 

of real-time traffic volume and speed 

511 Costs Vary, But Customer Satisfaction Is High

• Completely new advanced traveler 

information system hardware and 

software: $305,920.

Telecommunications costs associated 

with the system include both initial 

implementation and operation.

• Fees for one telecommunications 

company to transfer 511 calls in one 

metro area: $12,000.

• Programming telecommunications 

equipment to properly direct 511 calls 

throughout one state: $84,000.

Marketing costs include the initial and 

ongoing costs of outreach and advertisement to the traveling community.

• 511 advertisement in 350,000 travel 

guides: $3,400.

Traveler Information Vital During Emergencies

data recorders. It also provides links to 

hotels in Florida, Alabama, and Georgia 

that allow evacuees to make online hotel 

reservations.31

• On September 11, 2001, within 2 minutes 

of the decision to close the main bridge 

to New York, DMS alerted motorists 10 

miles away. The New York Department of 

Transportation quickly deployed portable 

DMS at New York City bridge and tunnel 

entrances advising of road closures. After 

TRANSCOM, the regional transportation 

management coalition, alerted the I-95 

Corridor Coalition agencies of problems 

in the New York region these agencies 

used HAR and DMS on I-95 as far 

south as Delaware and as far north as 

Connecticut to alert travelers to avoid 

the New York City region.32

• Signage, brochure, other collateral: 

$41,000.

Because the costs to design, build, and 

implement 511 traveler information 

systems can vary widely depending on 

the size of the system and the availability 

of existing infrastructure, the average 

development cost, as well as the cost-percall, which includes all operations and 

maintenance costs, have been recognized 

as useful comparative measures to assist 

deployers with developing appropriate 

budgets. Data collected from several 

statewide and metropolitan systems show 

the average development cost is $415,683 

(ranging from $133,000 to $1,028,000), 

and the average cost-per-call is $1.08 

(ranging from $0.12 to $2.84).29

During the 2002 Winter 

Olympic Games in Salt 

Lake City, Utah, a survey 

about the CommuterLink 

Website showed that 41 

percent of visitors and 70 

percent of residents were aware of the 

website. Overall, 98 percent of visitors 

and 97 percent of residents who used the 

website said it worked well for them.33

In California, 70 percent of survey 

respondents indicated California’s 

GoVentura website trip planning system 

helped them make a transit trip that 

they would otherwise have made by 

automobile.34

Deployment

Let the Web Do the Work

Benefits

For these and other sample costs, visit: www.itscosts.its.dot.gov

*In 2005 dollars.

Roadside Equipment Costs30

Unit Cost Element Life (Years) Capital Cost Operations and Maintenance 

Cost*(per year)

Dynamic Message Sign 10 $47,000-$117,000 $2,300-$6,000

Dynamic Message Sign Structure 20 $25,000-$120,000 Not available

 Portable Dynamic Message Sign 14 $18,300-$24,000 $600-$1,800

Highway Advisory Radio 20 $15,000-$35,000 $600-$1,000

Highway Advisory 

Radio Sign 10 $5,000-$9,000 $250
TRAVELER INFORMATION 



There’s More Online!

ITS Applications Overview: 

www.itsoverview.its.dot.gov

FHWA Office of Operations 511 Program: 

www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/511/index.htm

FHWA Office of Operations Real-Time 

Traveler Information Program: 

www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/travelinfo/index.htm

511 Deployment Coalition: 

www.deploy511.org

The online version of this document 

contains a full list of sources used: 

www.its.dot.gov/jpodocs/repts_te/14319.htm

The following are lessons learned on how to 

plan, design, operate, and maintain traveler 

information systems and are taken from the 

ITS Lessons Learned Knowledge Resource. 

Policy and Planning

• Perform local consumer research on the 

511 service during the planning stage of 

the project.35 The Utah Department of 

Transportation held planning stage focus 

groups to gauge consumer reaction to 

the 511 system that it had envisioned. 

Although the focus group had a strongly 

negative reaction to an automated 

system, after hearing a demonstration 

of what a voice-activated system would 

sound like, the participants found it more 

than acceptable and were surprised at the 

system’s quality and ease of use.

• Consider the future when planning 

and deploying a traveler information 

system.36 Because New Mexico’s State 

Highway and Transportation Department 

(NMSHTD) planned for future use, the 

agency used a combination of equipment 

purchases and rentals for its project 

to rebuild the “Big I” interchange 

in Albuquerque. Once the project 

ended, NMSHTD was able to reuse 

the purchased equipment as part of a 

permanent freeway management system.

• Clearly define roles, responsibilities, plans, 

and processes.37 Without a systems engineering plan, the Montana Department of 

Transportation and its partner, Montana 

State University’s Western Transportation Institute, encountered delays and 

confusion whenever development issues 

arose in creating the Greater Yellowstone 

Regional Traveler and Weather Information System, making it necessary for 

management to spend additional time 

and effort coordinating resolutions.

Leadership and Partnerships

• Encourage private sector involvement to 

help reduce program risk and support 

on-time deployment.38 By partnering 

with more than 20 public and private 

organizations to create “SmartTrek,” 

Washington State effectively integrated 

new and existing data sources to establish 

a regional, multimodal transportation 

information network that significantly 

expanded the distribution of traveler 

information.

• Educate tourist-oriented businesses 

and tourism organizations about the 

economic benefits of ITS.39 Deploying ITS 

components to provide real-time traveler 

information contributed to both a positive 

visitor experience and a longer stay at 

Acadia National Park, but 61 percent of 

local business managers reported being 

unaware of any of the ITS-based traveler 

information technologies used there. ITS 

deployers should consider marketing 

the benefits of ITS to tourist-related 

businesses, particularly the positive 

contributions to the local economy. 

Effectiveness and Evaluation

• Incorporate mechanisms for capturing user 

feedback for system evaluation, including 

the ability to intercept incoming 511 calls 

for survey or focus group recruitment.40

Arizona Department of Transportation 

used a live intercept approach to survey 

511 callers for feedback. Approximately 

31 percent of intercepted callers agreed to 

be surveyed and approximately 71 percent 

followed through, yielding 411 surveys 

and a survey completion rate of 22 percent. No complaints were received from 

intercepted callers regarding the method 

of recruitment for survey completion.

• Recognize that interoperability is becoming 

an important issue in achieving the vision 

of a nationwide 511 system.41 In San 

Francisco, efforts to implement 511 access 

were frustrated by the need for regional 

telecommunications company SBC to 

develop its plans for 511 access on a 

system-wide basis. However, the advantages of developing a region-wide 511 

system that has been tested and deployed 

will shorten the implementation schedule 

for other agencies as they prepare to 

implement 511 and will help to distribute 

the development costs among all the 

system implementers.

Traveler Information Systems – Lessons from Experience 

lessons learned

BENEFITS

Traveler Information Gets 

Thumbs Up from Truckers.

In a Washington State 

Department of Transportation sponsored survey of 

commercial vehicle operation companies, 57 percent 

of respondents said the 

availability of the new highway advisory 

radio (HAR) system made them somewhat or a lot safer.42

 Of those interviewed 

during the post-deployment period, 56 

percent indicated they tuned in to one or 

both of the HAR stations while traveling in the area, and 51 percent found the 

HAR messages useful.43 General travelers were also surveyed, and 94 percent 

agreed or strongly agreed that the website 

road weather information made travelers 

better prepared for their trips. More than 

half agreed the information helped them 

avoid travel delays.44

Traveler Info Is Most 

Valuable When It’s Free

One study used an Internet survey to 

evaluate customer satisfaction with 

Web-based real-time traffic information 

in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. Results 

showed that 68 percent of users in 

Pittsburgh and 86 percent of users in 

Philadelphia changed their original travel 

route, while 47 percent of users in 

Pittsburgh and 66 percent of users in 

Philadelphia changed their original time 

of travel as a result of the traffic information.45

 Notably, less than 10 percent of 

Internet respondents in Pittsburgh and 

27 percent in Philadelphia were willing to 

pay money for the traffic information.46

For these and other lessons, visit: 

www.itslessons.its.dot.gov. 

FHWA-JPO-07-002 • January 2007 • EDL# 14319

Mile Marker

September 2006 saw the 511 Traveler 

Information system mark the following 

milestones: 47

• More than 60 million calls received 

nationwide since inception in 2001. 

• 25 consecutive months with more 

than 1 million calls.

• 511 availability reached more than 

100 million Americans (35 percent).

Deployment


Source Information

Page 1. Introduction

1. U.S. Department of Transportation, National Strategy to Reduce Congestion on America’s 

 Transportation Network, Washington, DC: May 2006. Report: isddc.dot.gov/OLPFiles/OST/012988.pdf

Page 1. Traveler Information

2. Federal Highway Administration, Managing Demand Through Traveler Information Services, 

 Washington, DC: 2005. ITS Benefits Database Entry: www.itsbenefits.its.dot.gov/its/benecost.nsf/0/

 E7A8885BB9AF8F488525725D006DF5C1

 Report: ops.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/manag_demand_tis/travelinfo.htm

3. 511 Deployment Coalition, The Value of Deploying 511, Washington, DC: May 2004, p. 14. 

 Report: www.deploy511.org/docs/511_Value.pdf

4. 511 Deployment Coalition, America’s Travel Information Number – Implementation and Operational 

 Guidelines for 511 Services Version 3.0, Washington, DC: September 2005, p. 6.

 ITS Benefits Database Entry: www.itsbenefits.its.dot.gov/its/benecost.nsf/0/

 81320BEE35AA27AC8525725D00694782

 Report: www.deploy511.org/docs/511%20Guidelines%20Version%203.0.pdf

5. Federal Highway Administration, “Statewide Web Sites for Distributing Traveler Information: 

 2004 National Summary,” ITS Deployment Statistics Database Entry:

 www.itsdeployment.its.dot.gov/ResultsStateNational.asp?ID=310&rpt=M&filter=1

6. Federal Highway Administration, “Statewide Traveler Information Disseminated Via Highway Advisory 

 Radio (HAR): 2004 National Summary,” ITS Deployment Statistics Database Entry: 

 www.itsdeployment.its.dot.gov/ResultsStateNational.asp?ID=1056

7. Federal Highway Administration, “Statewide 511 System: 2004 National Summary,” 

 ITS Deployment Statistics Database Entry:

 www.itsdeployment.its.dot.gov/ResultsStateNational.asp?ID=794&rpt=M&filter=1

8. 511 Deployment Coalition Webpage, ”511 Usage Statistics,” 

 www.deploy511.org/usage.htm

9. Federal Highway Administration, Evaluation of the Acadia National Park ITS Field Operational Test: 

 Final Report, Washington, DC: June 2003. ITS Benefits Database Entry: 

 www.itsbenefits.its.dot.gov/its/benecost.nsf/0/ECDB8C5BF92D222C85256E6800538AA6

 Report: www.itsdocs.fhwa.dot.gov/jpodocs/repts_te/13834.html

Intelligent Transportation Systems 

forTraveler

Information
TRAVELER INFORMATION



Page 2. Travel Time in Demand in Houston and Chicago

10. Federal Highway Administration and Texas Department of Transportation, Travel Time Messaging 

 on Dynamic Message Signs – Houston, TX, Washington, DC: May 2005.

 ITS Benefits Database Entry: www.itsbenefits.its.dot.gov/its/benecost.nsf/0/

 C921B64F1AD055A08525725D0074A97A

 Report: ops.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/travel_time_study/houston/houston_ttm.htm

11. Ibid.

12. Ibid.

13. Ibid.

14. Federal Highway Administration and Illinois State Toll Highway Authority, Travel Time Messaging 

 on Dynamic Message Signs – Chicago, IL, Washington, DC: May 2005. 

 ITS Benefits Database Entry: www.itsbenefits.its.dot.gov/its/benecost.nsf/0/

 2BDFE1402A6BC1138525725E0052DFE4

 Report: www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/travel_time_study/chicago/chicago_ttm.htm

15. Ibid.

16. Ibid.

17. Ibid.

Page 2. What Should It Say? Guidelines for Effective DMS

18. Federal Highway Administration, Changeable Message Sign Operation and Messaging Handbook,

 Washington, DC: August 2004, p. 2-3. ITS Lessons Learned Knowledge Resource Entry: 

 www.itslessons.its.dot.gov/its/benecost.nsf/Lesson?OpenForm&06D51ECB440E536E852572600069CB04^Home

 (Lesson learned point of contact: Brian Philips, Mitretek Systems, 202-863-3659, brian.philips@mitretek.org).

 Report: tmcpfs.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/cfprojects/uploaded_files/

 CMS%20Operation%20and%20Messaging%20Handbook-Final%20Draft.pdf

19. Ibid.

20. Ibid., p. 5-2

21. Ibid., p. 5-9

22. Ibid., p. 5-10

23. Ibid.

24. Johnson, Christine M., Policy Memorandum on the Use of Changeable Message Signs, January 19, 2001.

 Document: www.fhwa.dot.gov/legsregs/directives/policy/pame.htm

25. Lindley, Jeffrey A., Guidance Memorandum on Dynamic Message Sign (DMS) Recommended Practice, 

 July 16, 2004. ITS Lessons Learned Knowledge Resource Entry: www.itslessons.its.dot.gov/its/benecost.nsf/

 Lesson?OpenForm&45E28761828DD11D85257260006BC296^Home

 (Lesson learned point of contact: Brian Philips, Mitretek Systems, 202-863-3659, brian.philips@mitretek.org).

 Document: ops.fhwa.dot.gov/travelinfo/resources/cms_rept/travtime.htm

Page 3. 511 Costs Vary, But Customer Satisfaction Is High

26. 511 Deployment Coalition, America’s Travel Information Number: Implementation and Operational 

 Guidelines for 511 Services Version 3.0, Washington, DC: September 2005, p. 58. 

 ITS Benefits Database Entry: www.itsbenefits.its.dot.gov/its/benecost.nsf/0/

 81320BEE35AA27AC8525725D00694782

 Report: www.deploy511.org/docs/511%20Guidelines%20Version%203.0.pdf
TRAVELER INFORMATION 



27. Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and the University of Kentucky, Evaluation of the Eastern 

 Kentucky Rural Highway Information Project 511 Tourism Service, Frankfort, KY: May 2006, p. 34.

 ITS Benefits Database Entry: www.itsbenefits.its.dot.gov/its/benecost.nsf/0/

 F9198323BB8982778525725E00550C6B

 Report: www.itsdocs.fhwa.dot.gov/jpodocs/repts_te/14307_files/14307.pdf

28. 511 Deployment Coalition, The Value of Deploying 511, Washington, DC: May 2004, p. 13. 

 ITS Costs Database Entry: 

 www.itscosts.its.dot.gov/its/benecost.nsf/0/20DF3FC794043FF185256F16005D144F

 Report: www.deploy511.org/docs/511_Value.pdf

29. Ibid., p. 13

Page 3. Roadside Equipment Costs

30. Federal Highway Administration, ITS Costs Database, Roadside Information Subsystems:

 www.itscosts.its.dot.gov/its/benecost.nsf/SubsystemCosts?OpenForm&Subsystem=

 Roadside+Information+(RS-I). Unit Element Cost Descriptions:

 Dynamic Message Sign – Low capital cost is for smaller dynamic message sign (DMS) installed along 

 arterial. High capital cost is for full matrix, light-emitting diode, 3-line, walk-in DMS installed on freeway. 

 Cost does not include installation. 

 Dynamic Message Sign Tower – Low capital cost is for a small structure for arterials. High capital cost is 

 for a larger structure spanning 3-4 lanes. DMS tower structure requires minimal maintenance. 

 Dynamic Message Sign – Portable – Trailer mounted DMS (3-line, 8-inch character display); includes trailer, 

 solar or diesel powered, and equipped with cellular modem for remote communication and control. Operating 

 costs are for labor and replacement parts. 

 Highway Advisory Radio – Capital cost is for a 10-watt highway advisory radio (HAR), which includes 

 processor, antenna, transmitters, battery back-up, cabinet, rack mounting, lighting, mounts, connectors, 

 cable, and license fee. A “super HAR,” used to gain a stronger signal with a larger antenna, costs an 

 additional $9,000 - $10,000. 

 Highway Advisory Radio Sign – Cost is for a HAR sign with flashing beacons. Includes the cost of the controller.

Page 3. Traveler Information Vital During Emergencies

31. Federal Highway Administration, Managing Demand Through Traveler Information Services, Washington, DC: 

 2005. Report: ops.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/manag_demand_tis/travelinfo.htm

32. Ibid.

Page 3. Let the Web Do the Work

33. Federal Highway Administration, Intelligent Transportation Systems at the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter 

 Olympic Games: Event Study Traffic Management and Traveler Information, Washington, DC: April 2003. 

 ITS Benefits Database Entry: www.itsbenefits.its.dot.gov/its/benecost.nsf/0/

 BE4429923C932386852571070063CEBA

 Report: www.itsdocs.fhwa.dot.gov/jpodocs/repts_te/13850.html

34. Federal Highway Administration, Managing Demand Through Traveler Information Services, Washington, DC: 

 2005. ITS Benefits Database Entry: www.itsbenefits.its.dot.gov/its/benecost.nsf/0/

 79AE9F5AF40023508525725E00591629

 Report: ops.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/manag_demand_tis/travelinfo.htm
TRAVELER INFORMATION



Page 4. Traveler Information Systems – Lessons from Experience

	 Policy and Planning

35. 511 Deployment Coalition, Implementation and Operational Guidelines for 511 Services, Version 2.0, 

 Washington, DC: September 2003. ITS Lessons Learned Knowledge Resource Entry: 

 www.itslessons.its.dot.gov/its/benecost.nsf/Lesson?OpenForm&9612695B03F1787D8525707E0061C6B6

 (Lesson learned point of contact: Pete Costello, PBS&J, 407-806-4440, petecostello@pbsj.com).

 Report: www.deploy511.org/guidelinesv2_intro.htm

36. Federal Highway Administration, Intelligent Transportation Systems in Work Zones, A Case Study: 

 Work Zone Traffic and Incident Management System, Keeping Traffic Moving During Reconstruction 

 of the Big I, a Major Interstate-Interstate Interchange in Albuquerque, Washington, DC: January 2004. 

 ITS Lessons Learned Knowledge Resource Entry: 

 www.itslessons.its.dot.gov/its/benecost.nsf/Lesson?OpenForm&B1BF234E0F61EF8F8525707E0061C5C2

 (Lesson learned point of contact: Allan DeBlasio, U.S. DOT / RITA / John A. Volpe National Transportation 

 Systems Center, 617-494-2032, allan.j.deblasio@volpe.dot.gov).

 Report: www.itsdocs.fhwa.dot.gov/jpodocs/repts_te/13941.html

37. Federal Highway Administration, Final Evaluation Report for the Greater Yellowstone Regional Traveler 

 and Weather Information System (GYRTWIS), Washington, DC: December 2003. 

 ITS Lessons Learned Knowledge Resource Entry: 

 www.itslessons.its.dot.gov/its/benecost.nsf/Lesson?OpenForm&796841C9B1661F098525713E00588B72

 (Lesson learned point of contact: Robert Sanchez, SAIC, 859-626-5109, robert.r.sanchez@saic.com).

 Report: www.itsdocs.fhwa.dot.gov/jpodocs/repts_te/13958.html

Leadership and Partnerships

38. Federal Highway Administration, Metropolitan Model Deployment Initiative – Seattle Evaluation Report,

 Washington, DC: May 2000. ITS Lessons Learned Knowledge Resource Entry: 

 www.itslessons.its.dot.gov/its/benecost.nsf/Lesson?OpenForm&A39754432F3449B18525707E0061C7E3

 (Lesson learned point of contact: Peter Briglia, Washington State Department of Transportation, 

 206-543-3331, Briglia@u.washington.edu).

 Report: www.itsdocs.fhwa.dot.gov/jpodocs/repts_te/13071.pdf

39. Federal Highway Administration, An Evaluation of Acadia National Park ITS Field Operational Test: 

 Final Report, Washington, DC: June 2003. ITS Lessons Learned Knowledge Resource Entry: 

 www.itslessons.its.dot.gov/its/benecost.nsf/Lesson?OpenForm&FBF846068035D0FA85257090005496FB

 (Lesson learned point of contact: Susan Moreau, Maine Department of Transportation, 

 207-624-3329, susan.moreau@maine.dot).

 Report: www.itsdocs.fhwa.dot.gov/jpodocs/repts_te/13834.html

	 Effectiveness and Evaluation

40. Federal Highway Administration, Model Deployment of a Regional, Multi-Modal 511 Traveler Information 

 System - Final Report, Washington, DC: August 2005. ITS Lessons Learned Knowledge Resource Entry: 

 www.itslessons.its.dot.gov/its/benecost.nsf/Lesson?OpenForm&7B0328CFD0DC48CF85257169006308C8

 (Lesson learned point of contact: Matt Burt, Battelle, 480-753-1511, burtm@battelle.org).

 Report: www.itsdocs.fhwa.dot.gov/jpodocs/repts_te/14248.htm

41. Federal Highway Administration, 511 Case Studies: San Francisco Bay Area Metropolitan Transportation 

 Commission, Washington, DC: April 2001. ITS Lessons Learned Knowledge Resource Entry: 

 www.itslessons.its.dot.gov/its/benecost.nsf/Lesson?OpenForm&C1FC53660FB265088525707E0061C698

 (Lesson learned point of contact: Pete Costello, PBS&J, 407-806-4440, petecostello@pbsj.com). 

 Report: www.its.dot.gov/511/Travinfo.htm
TRAVELER INFORMATION 



Page 4. Traveler Information Gets Thumbs Up from Truckers

42. Federal Highway Administration, Evaluation of Rural ITS Information Systems along U.S. 395, Spokane, 

 Washington, Washington, DC: January 2004. ITS Benefits Database Entry: 

 www.itsbenefits.its.dot.gov/its/benecost.nsf/0/23B45777DB4FE98085256EA6004E86C3

 Report: www.itsdocs.fhwa.dot.gov/jpodocs/repts_te/13955.html

43. Ibid.

44. Ibid.

Page 4. Traveler Info Is Most Valuable When It’s Free

45. Federal Highway Administration, Evaluation of Intelligent Transportation Infrastructure Program (ITIP) 

 in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Washington, DC: March 2003. ITS Benefits Database Entry:

 www.itsbenefits.its.dot.gov/its/benecost.nsf/0/D8BFAF0C3FE6944185256CE000491E74

46. Ibid.

Page 4. Mile Marker

47. 511 Deployment Coalition Webpage, “511 Usage Statistics,” 

 www.deploy511.org/usage.htm