By dialing the digits posted on blue-and-white signs around the state, many motorists and would-be travelers can connect quickly to Utah's high-tech commuter link system and find out, among other things, if I-15 is bogged down by construction (imagine that) or if cars are cruising along State Street (but not more than twice in the "zone," of course).
The phone system offers up-to-the-minute road conditions and traffic information for major surface thoroughfares. It also provides schedules for transit routes and for the Lake Powell ferries.
And all that 411 is available statewide at the touch of many hands, simply by calling 511.
At least that's the way it's supposed to work. Turns out, there are a few (thousand) exceptions.
For example, truncated phone systems that require dialing a 9 to get an outside line often have problems accessing it. Also, when Verizon Wireless customers try 511 — or *511 or 511# or 1-511 — they don't get any travel info. They don't get a guy asking if they can hear him now, either. They get a "Your call cannot be completed" message.
But, in this case, checking the number and dialing again will only put wear and tear on a phone's buttons. Unlike AT&T, Cricket, Sprint and all other cell phone providers, Verizon Wireless does not make the 511 service available to its customers. The nation's largest phone carrier — and one of the biggest two in the state, servicing thousands of Utahns — could not come to business terms with the Utah Department of Transportation when the system was initially implemented in December 2001.
"I know Utah talked to us about that," said Michael Bagley, director of public policy for Verizon Wireless. "It may have been initially at that time that things were not palatable for either side to do it."
The carrier, he added, would be open to new discussions with UDOT. Several other states have contracted with Verizon Wireless to implement similar systems for local weather and traffic with 511.
In the meantime, an option exists for those who can't access 511, although it takes a few more touches. Dialing 1-866-511-UTAH gives callers the same options.
Even without Verizon Wireless customers phoning in, the 511 system has been ringing nearly off the hook in its first 1 1/2 years. Through May, 377,903 calls had been logged, although it is unconfirmed how many of them were from telemarketers during supper time.
In May, the service handled a volume ranging between 275 and 1,250 calls a day. Service spikes happen when new signs go up, with media coverage, on busy travel days, etc.
"We're definitely happy with the amount of calls," UDOT spokesman Tom Hudachko said. "We'd obviously like more people to utilize it, but in our opinion it's been successful."
Part of the popularity of the state and federally funded program, which costs $600,000 a year to operate, is the voice-activated feature. It also helps that the online — www.commuterlink.utah.gov — and phone systems are updated constantly. As soon as an incident is reported, operators enter the info in the computer and it automatically refreshes. Callers can then keep informed about statewide conditions — from Main Street Logan to St. George Boulevard to I-80 near Wendover and Evanston.
It does have its limits. Hudachko joked that "it probably wouldn't recognize a cul-de-sac in Sandy."
And that's with or without a Verizon Wireless phone.
E-MAIL: jody@desnews.com