TDM Toolbox

Mitigation Calculator

Subsector: Trip Reduction Programs
Traveler Information (511)
VMT Reduction Potential: 2
Cost: 1
ROI: 2
StanCOG Relevancy: 3
Land Use Content: Urban, Suburban, Rural
Trip Type: School, Residential, Commute, Recreation
Scale: Regional
Timing: Short Term (1-3 years)
Implementors-Public: Municipalities, Regional Agencies
References: California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) 511 Real-Time Traveler Information, StanCOG Congestion Management Process, StanCOG Regional Transportation Plan and Sustainable Communities Strategy

Description

The 511 traveler information system provides real-time traffic, transit, rideshare, and road closure information, enhancing trip planning and reducing travel uncertainty.

Implementation Details

  • Develop a StanCOG regional traveler-information webpage or portal that connects users to StanRTA, Turlock Transit, StanisCruise, Amtrak San Joaquins, ACE, and other regional transportation services.
  • Integrate StanisCruise trip-planning and rideshare information into StanCOG and member-agency websites, social media, and community outreach materials.
  • Coordinate with Caltrans District 10 to promote existing 511 traveler information and roadway incident resources to Stanislaus County travelers.
  • Install informational signage, QR codes, or digital displays at major transit centers, park-and-ride locations, schools, employment centers, and other high-activity locations.
  • Provide multilingual traveler-information materials at transit centers, libraries, community centers, schools, and major employment sites.
  • Promote traveler-information tools during major regional events, construction projects, and roadway closures to help travelers identify transit, carpool, vanpool, and alternate-route options.

Mitigation Potential

The 511 traveler information system provides real-time traffic, transit, rideshare, and road closure information, enhancing trip planning and reducing travel uncertainty.

For more details, see CAPCOA, T-23. Provide Community-Based Travel Planning, pg. 176-178 for VMT reduction quantification.

Linked Strategies

Equity Considerations

511 access campaigns should prioritize low-income and non-English-speaking communities that may lack real-time transit apps or digital tools. Use signage and printed materials in multiple languages at key transit locations, schools, and community hubs. Ensure kiosk placement and marketing campaigns are equitable and consider internet access disparities.

Funding Sources

Traveler information programs primarily require staff time for coordination, outreach, and maintenance. Potential funding sources include Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) funds, which StanCOG uses to support rideshare, vanpool, transit, and other transportation demand management programs; Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) funds; and California Sustainable Transportation Planning Grants. StanCOG currently allocates CMAQ funding to transportation demand management activities, including StanisCruise, creating an existing regional funding pathway for traveler information and trip-planning services.

Examples/Case Studies

Caltrans 511 Real-Time Traveler Information

Caltrans’ statewide 511 program provides a framework for region-specific traveler information, including traffic conditions, transit information, ridesharing, multimodal trip planning, and mobile applications. Caltrans currently identifies regional 511 services throughout California, demonstrating a model that StanCOG could build upon or connect to for Stanislaus County traveler information.

StanCOG StanisCruise TDM and Trip-Planning Program

StanCOG transitioned from the former Dibs/Commute Connection program to its own regional TDM platform, StanisCruise, in 2023. The program provides a trip-planning application that allows travelers to compare transit, carpool, and vanpool options based on their origin and destination. StanCOG’s current TDM program is being further enhanced to include multimodal trip planning, trip logging, incentives, reporting, and real-time commuter information.