About 511 Massachusetts - Traffic & Travel Resources

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The Official Website of The Massachusetts Department of Transportation - Highway Division

About 511 Massachusetts

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On-line Traffic Resources

What is 511? How do I access Mass511? How can I personalize my routes? What routes are covered by Mass511? What does it cost to call 511? Will users be forced to listen to advertising? What about folks who don't want to call 511? Is the state encouraging drivers to use their cell phones? Will callers be able to talk directly to MassDOT staff? Who is providing the 511 service?

What is 511? The Federal Communications Commission designated 511 as a traffic information telephone number on July 21, 2000. The Mass511 service provides traffic and travel information on Massachusetts roads and is provided by a public-private partnership with Sendza, at no cost to the state. The 511 service provides real-time traffic updates for major Massachusetts roadways, including routes and highways in Western Mass, Central Mass, and the South Coast. Highlights of the 511 system include: Statewide coverage Improved real-time information - traffic and event information Personalized traffic information Ease of use and convenience Information to help users make informed travel choices No cost to the state For questions about Mass511, please Contact Us.
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How do I access Mass511? You can call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days per year Cell Phone - Dial 511 Land line: Metro Boston (617) 986 - 5511 Central Mass (508) 499 - 5511 Western Mass (413) 754 - 5511
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How can I personalize my routes? Sendza's system remembers the routes you entered last time you called. In addition, you can sign up for personalized alerts based on routes and time of day.
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What routes are covered by Mass511? Major routes covered by the Mass511 are highlighted here:
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What does it cost to call 511? Cell phone: counts against minutes, so it is "free" unless you exceed your allocation. Land line: Free call.
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Will users be forced to listen to advertising? This service comes at no cost to taxpayers or callers, and will be underwritten by the integrated marketing components. Users will hear a short sponsorship message when they call 511. It's really no different than listening to the radio - "this traffic report brought to you by XYZ Company."
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What about folks who don't want to call 511? MassDOT is working more closely with radio stations and TV stations to make sure they have the most accurate information possible about the conditions of our roads. The radio is where most drivers choose to get their traffic information, so these types of partnerships make sense.
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Is the state encouraging drivers to use their cell phones? No, MassDOT is not trying to encourage drivers to use cell phones while driving. We want to make the service so convenient and easy to use that drivers use it before they start driving. 511 is also a great option for passengers to call while the driver focuses on the road.
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Will callers be able to talk directly to MassDOT staff? This phone number isn't meant for customer service issues, but callers can report road incidents or conditions that our operators need to know about.
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Who is providing the 511 service? The Mass511 service is provided by Sendza, a growing Massachusetts company. Sendza is an innovative Software as a Service (SaaS) company delivering a new approach to engagement marketing. Sendza provides a hosted service that automates bi-directional, text, voice, email, and social network messaging - so organizations can extend their reach to customers, associates, and employees. Sendza is pioneering message marketing and private/public partnerships using sponsored based messaging programs. Learn more about the Mass511 services provided by Sendza.
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