North Texas travelers have a customized tool to help them reach their destinations.
The updated 511DFW Travel Information System, launched Nov. 4 in the Fort Worth-Dallas area, is available to travelers to guide them to make better decisions about their mode of transportation and transit routes as well as links to Mobility Assistance Patrols.
The free system 鈥� available in English and Spanish at 鈥� provides real-time travel information, including highway conditions and transit agency routes.
The system, administered by the North Central Texas Council of Governments since 2017, also includes information about traffic speeds, toll lane facilities, traffic signals, highway incidents, construction zones, EV charging stations, off-road walk and bike paths, traffic camera snapshots and special events.
The site also includes routes and services from local transit agencies, including Fort Worth-based Trinity Metro, Dallas Area Rapid Transit and the Denton County Transportation Authority.
鈥淥ne of the other things you can do is get directions either via car, transit, walk or bike,鈥� Eric Quintana, senior transportation planner for the council of governments, said during a transit meeting Nov. 11. 鈥淭he system is connected to the transit (of) the region and gives you the best route that you select.鈥�
Quintana said the system 鈥済ives you a better way of getting there鈥� more efficiently.
The system combines travel data from other apps, including Google Maps, Apple Maps and Waze, with traffic and event data provided by local municipalities.
A 511DFW app is also available for iOS and Android devices.
The app, Quintana said, is an easy way to allow the public and agency users to report transportation issues with a focus on location-based highway roadside assistance to aid travelers.
鈥淔or instance, if you run out of gas, if you have the app, the app will tell you exactly where you are at and it will call the transit agency related to the roadside assistance to help you with whatever issue you have,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t will help you connect with the facility that will provide those services.鈥�
The site provides directions to travelers.
鈥淭here is no voice turn-by-turn navigation, but a voice 鈥榯alk to me鈥� feature allows the app to read information to motorists about traffic congestion or road closures on their routes,鈥� the council of governments said in an information sheet.
Quintana said the site and app are easy to use since people can use an email account to sign up and create a password.
鈥淵ou should be good to go from there,鈥� he said.
Transportation officials are urging residents to consider using transit services as North Texas鈥� population surges.
North Texas leaders are considering transit options, including high-speed rail, as Fort Worth is now the in the nation, and Arlington, the , prepares to host .
鈥淲e are soon to be the third-largest metro region in the country. 鈥� We have to have transit to get Texans across Texas, period,鈥� Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker said Aug. 29 of the division between .
Parker鈥檚 Urban Rail Committee Supporting Economic Development & Tourism, launched with Trinity Metro, is considering the in Fort Worth to aid in mobility options.
The council of governments will continue to refine the 511DFW system with public input. In the next few years, officials plan to add information about parking and low-water crossings to the system.
Users are encouraged to leave a comment on the app or website. They can also call 511 in North Texas to provide comments. Irving-based Kapsch TrafficCom, a mobility solutions firm, built the new 511DFW website and designed the mobile app.
Eric E. Garcia is a senior business reporter at the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at eric.garcia@fortworthreport.org.
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