Upgrades to FDOT’s Florida 511 Advanced Traveler Information System announced

Live streaming video and map legend enhancements among new features

Image from the Florida 511 homepage

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has announced upgrades to the Florida 511 (FL511) Advanced Traveler Information System in an effort “to provide the most innovative product for road users ahead of the 2021 hurricane season,” a department news release says.

Customers using FL511 can expect to see new features, “including live streaming video, map legend enhancements, and a voice interaction feature on FL511 platforms,” the release points out.

“The department is consistently looking for innovative ways to improve safety and enhance mobility across our transportation system,” said FDOT Secretary Kevin J. Thibault in the release. “The updates to FL511 will allow Florida’s road users to efficiently reach their daily destinations, navigate safely around traffic conditions, and make travel plans in case of an emergency, such as a hurricane. The department encourages all Floridians to incorporate FL511 into their preparedness plans,” he added in the release.

New to FL511.com is a live streaming video feature so passengers can view current driving conditions on all interstates, at toll facilities, and on other major Florida routes, the release explains. “This improvement provides real-time views of many of the state’s roadways,” it notes. Users can select certain camera feeds and click the “Show Video” button to view a full live stream, the release says.

“Additionally, drawbridge crossings were added to the website’s map legend to show when drawbridges are raised and may be impacting traffic,” the release points out. The Brickell Avenue Bridge in Miami is the first drawbridge to be displayed on the FL511 website, the release says.

“In addition, the FL511 Mobile App has a voice interaction feature, which provides real-time traffic information in a viewable format,” the release continues. “Motorists can request traffic information for a city, county, or roadway.” The mobile app provides directions with travel times to any destination in Florida and real-time traffic information regarding incidents, congestion, construction, closures on interstates, toll roads, and other major roadways, the release adds.

“To continually offer the most efficient, innovative product, FL511 will evolve solely to digital platforms starting this month,” the release notes. “FL511’s phone Interactive Voice Response system will transition to the mobile app,” it says.

FDOT encourages motorists to download the free FL511 mobile app or visit FL511.com to use it as a planning tool to obtain real-time traffic information.

Further, the release notes, “When you register for a My Florida 511 account, you can receive text messages or email alerts for your daily commutes. Motorists are encouraged to have a passenger check FL511 for traffic updates or stop at a rest area facility before checking FL511.”

For more information on how to use the FL511 Mobile App, click here. For additional updates on Florida 511, follow FL511 on social media: