2000
In 2000, there were at least 300 different phone numbers providing some sort of highway or public transportation-related information to the public.
July 21, 2000: Acting on a petition from the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) designated 511 as the single travel information telephone number to be made available to states and local jurisdictions across the country. The FCC ruling leaves nearly all implementation issues and schedules to state and local agencies and telecommunications carriers. There are no federal requirements or mandates to implement 511.
Mindful of both the opportunity and challenge 511 presents, the American Association of State Highway & Transportation Officials (AASHTO), in conjunction with many other organizations including the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) and the Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS America), with support from the U.S. Department of Transportation, established the 511 Deployment Coalition. The goal of the 511 Deployment Coalition is "the timely establishment of a national 511 traveler information service that is sustainable and provides value to users." The intent is to implement 511 nationally using a bottom-up approach facilitated by information sharing and a cooperative dialogue through the national associations represented on the Policy Committee, the governing body of the program.
2001
June 11, 2001: The first 511 system debuts in the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky region followed by Nebraska in October and Utah in December.
2002
June 24, 2002: After extensive planning and design work, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District Five office launched the Central Florida Traveler Information 511 System.
July 16, 2002: The FDOT District Six office launched the Southeast Florida 511 System.
During 2002, the two existing 511 systems in Florida accounted for between 50 to 60 percent of all 511 calls nationally.
2003
Several resources aimed at helping potential and current 511 deployers were developed and released during 2003. A Web site dedicated to collecting 511-specific information was launched, accessible at Deploy511.org.
April 30, 2003: Twenty one systems in 20 states are operational. Having grown in 2003 from 13 deployments to 20. 511 is now available to more than 56 million Americans, or more than 19 percent of the nation’s population.
Read the 2003 511 National Report
2004
September 2, 2004: The FDOT District Seven office launched the Tampa Bay Regional Traveler Information Service.
Florida’s 511 systems currently account for between 30 and 40 percent of all 511 calls nationwide.
In addition to the existing regional 511 systems, a statewide 511 system is being devised as part of the Florida Model Deployment, which will provide reporting primarily on incident and construction/work zone information in all parts of the state not currently covered by the existing regional 511 systems.
Read the 2004 511 National Report
Read Florida's 2004 511 Progress Report
Read the Southeast Florida Second Annual Evalutaion Report
2005
The regional 511 systems across Florida account for the most calls within a state in a year, with 5,065,689 calls.
April 2005: The Southeast Florida 511 system reaches its 5-million-calls milestone.
June 2005: The Central Florida 511 system reaches its 4-million-calls milestone.
July 21, 2005: The five year anniversary of the 511 traveler information dialing code designation by the Federal CommunicationsCommission (FCC) is reached.
August 2005: The Southeast Florida 511 system reaches its 6-million-calls milestone.
November 17, 2005: The Florida Department of Transportation’s free Statewide 511 Travel Information System is launched.
In the relatively short time since the FCC designated 511 as the national traveler information number, 26 services in 23 states have been deployed and 511 is currently available to more than 80 million Americans, or more than 28 percent of the nation’s population. More than 30 million calls have been made to 511 systems throughout the country.
Read the 2005 511 National Report
2006
January 2006: Twenty eight systems are operational in 24 states, available to more than 93 million Americans, or 32-percent of the nation's population.
In January, new automated interactive voice response (IVR) service debuted by Southeast Florida 511.
MyFlorida511 system launched by FDOT District Five in Central Florida allowing users to set up personalized routes.
January 2006: The Southeast Florida 511 system reaches its 7-million-calls milestone.
February 2006: The Central Florida 511 system reaches its 5-million-calls milestone.
In 2006, the Statewide 511 system will be enhanced to include bus, seaport and airport traveler information for Southwest Florida and Jacksonville.
Read the 2006 511 National Report
Read Florida's 511 Progress Report (May 2006)
Read Florida's 511 Progress Report (2006)
2007
January 14, 2007: The FDOT District Two office launched the Jacksonville 511 Regional Traveler Information Service.
April 11, 2007: The FDOT District One office launched the Southwest Florida 511 Regional Traveler Information System.
May 13, 2007: The Statewide 511 system experienced an all-time call volume peak when the system received 16,659 calls.
December 2007: Twenty eight systems are operational in 24 states, available to more than 128 million Americans, or 47-percent of the nation's population.
Read Florida's 511 Progress Report (2007)
2008
January 2008: The Northeast Florida 511 System launched MyJax511 personal alerts, incorporating text message and e-mail alerts.
April 2008: Forty-three 511 systems were operational in 33 states and two Canadian provinces. 511 systems are available to more than 128 million Americans (47%) and almost 1 million Canadians (3%).
May 2008: 511 received more than 112 million calls nationwide since inception. Southwest Florida 511 added travel times were added to I-75 traffic reports. During the May 2008 wildfires in Central Florida, call volumes were up 36 percent over the 2008 average.
August 2008: The Southeast Florida 511 system surpassed 13 million calls. The Tampa Bay 511 system reached 2 million calls. Hurricane Fay’s winds and rain caused evacuations, traffic tie-ups and even road closures; the Northeast Florida 511 system showed an 87 percent spike in calls.
September 2008: The next generation Florida 511 System design was approved. The Central Florida 511 system reached 8 million calls.
November 2008: After a statewide media push during Thanksgiving, which included four media events at regional Traffic Management Centers, Florida 511 calls were up 61 percent compared to a typical week.
December 2008: The statewide SunGuide® Software installation was completed. Advancements were made in preparation for the Next Generation Florida 511 System, which will feature one seamless and integrated system, personalized services, new Web site and additional transfer options. Call volumes in the six Florida 511 services surpassed 25 million calls.
2009
The new Statewide Florida 511 Traveler Information System launched in 2009. The fully integrated, bilingual resource offers statewide roadway coverage, the addition of more than 50 new travel partners and personalized services.