The Virginia Department of Transport (VDOT) has launched the 511 Traveler Information System across the US state to provide drivers with immediate travel times, which help to avoid congestion by selecting alternate routes.

The 511 system by Itris includes a modern traveller information website, a new interactive voice response (IVR) phone system, as well as two new smartphone applications that can be downloaded on iOS and Android devices.

Iteris also developed other capabilities to support the department’s Reach the Beach programme, which is aimed at improving overall traveller experience by providing updated travel times at key decision points approaching and leaving the beach.

Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell said: "This system will help travellers by providing them with the most reliable travel time information available and, where possible, encourage them to use alternate routes that are less congested."

Iteris president and CEO Abbas Mohaddes said the company is proud to have been a part of this successful and innovative traveller information system.

"We look forward to the next phase of this project which includes maintenance and operations of the system over the next eight years and delivering traffic information solutions to the state and the travelling public," Mohaddes added.

The company integrated the department’s 800 CCTV cameras and data resources from five regional operation centres into one standardised video and data distribution centre.

VDOT awarded the deployment contract to Iteris in September 2011 under the department’s Transportation Video & Data Services project, while Iteris formed a team with Open Road Consulting, Skyline Network Engineering and Global-5 Communications to complete the project.