|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We've compiled the following from the questions we routinely get from the public regarding our website and other Georgia DOT functions. If you've looked here and still cannot find an answer to your question, please feel free to drop a note to the Webmaster.
NaviGAtor was conceived and is being built as a statewide system. The earliest deployments were in metropolitan Atlanta in preparation for the 1996 Summer Olympic Games. Following the Olympics, the Atlanta-area system was expanded from a coverage area of 45 miles of freeway to today's coverage of approximately 195 freeway miles. Additionally, NaviGAtor covers I-475 in the Macon area. Continuous expansion is taking place, with a priority on areas that experience the heaviest congestion.
We expect to complete NaviGAtor coverage in the Atlanta region by 2010. Completed coverage includes traffic cameras, congestion sensors, changeable message signs (CMS), ramp meters, and HERO patrols. Sections now online include the full I-285 loop, the southern end of I-575 and the extensions of coverage on I-75 and I-20. Sections coming soon include I-675 and portions of I-85 and GA 400. In addition, the HERO program has expanded to approximately 87 certified operators patrolling 30 routes seven days a week.
Outside of Atlanta, the NaviGAtor system now includes a hurricane evacuation system in the coastal areas. The hurricane evacuation system includes cameras and message signs along critical evacuation routes away from the coast. In the event of an evacuation, GDOT will be able to monitor these roadways and provide information to evacuees.
Although ITS coverage is most comprehensive in the
Atlanta area, there is still information available to
the public from other parts of the state. We track
major highway incidents throughout Georgia, as well as
any highway lane closures using reports from our seven
Districts and on-site construction managers. That
information is available from NaviGAtor operators 24
hours a day 7 days a week by dialing 511. Although we
cannot provide travel times or detailed travel
conditions for every highway in the state, we can
provide information on the trouble spots to avoid. For 511 FAQs, click here.
Click here for a map showing our timetable for expansion in the Atlanta region.
Yes, if you are in metro Atlanta, dial 511 from any phone and select option "1" to request HERO motorist assistance. Please note, however, that the HEROs are primarily responsible for incident management and roadway clearance. Assisting stranded motorists is a secondary duty as conditions allow. During major traffic incidents or severe weather, HEROs may not be available for routine motorist assistance. You should arrange for alternate roadside assistance during these times. Exceptions may be made for disabled vehicles obstructing travel lanes. Click here for more information.
HEROs currently patrol the following metro Atlanta freeways:
Click on the following links for HERO Route maps :
If you have comments about the HERO Program, or if you've been helped by a HERO and would like to say thanks, we'd love to hear from you! Please contact us. If you have additional questions about the HERO unit, please click here.
Click here for more information.
The Georgia DOT performs routine maintenance on the cameras and signs; however there will be times that certain cameras, signs or speed information is unavailable. Because these devices are used by operators at the TMC 24 hours a day, seven days a week, we are aware very quickly when problems occur.
Local TV stations installed high-tech equipment at our facility in 1996 that allows them to receive four live feeds from the roof of TMC to their news headquarters. This is what you see on the news. NaviGAtor does not yet provide streaming camera video on the site; however, we are exploring options that would allow short clips (5-10 secs) to appear online.
We do not record our traffic cameras. In metro Atlanta, we have about 500 GDOT cameras and over 200 city and county traffic cameras to monitor 24 hours a day. These cameras are used only to monitor traffic and manage incidents as they occur. Most of the time we do not even "see" an accident as it happens, only the accident scene afterwards.
The local TV stations installed high-tech equipment at our facility in 1996 that allows them to receive four live feeds from our building to their news headquarters. It is possible that some of them record the video and re-broadcast it later. This is what you see on the news.
The camera images are refreshed approximately every 4 to 5 minutes.
If you're looking at cameras via the camera list, as opposed to from the maps, the most reliable method for obtaining camera direction is to refer to the caption at the bottom of the image: "lanes nearest to the cameras are xxxx-bound." Regardless of technical issues or which way the camera is pointing, this statement always holds true.
You may be able to fix this problem by pressing F5 or by holding down the shift key while clicking on the refresh button in your browser. If this does not correct it, please feel free to contact us.
Interstate conditions change in the blink of an eye. If an incident occurs 5 miles ahead at the same time or after you pass under the sign, the system will not have had a chance to recognize that change and update the message. If you notice consistent errors in any sign, please feel free to report them to webmaster@georgia-navigator.com so that we can investigate and make corrections if necessary.
The trip times are designed to only work when there is a sufficient amount of good data. We have sensors every 1/3 mile on the highway. If several of these sensors are not reporting good data, the trip times will stop working on the website. GDOT is working on repairing all of the sensors in order to bring back trip times to the site.
The average speeds shown on the map are refreshed approximately every 2-3 minutes.
The speeds shown on the NaviGAtor web page are an average speed of ALL the vehicles collected approximately every 20 seconds. These speeds do not represent individual vehicle speeds and are not used for law enforcement.
Construction plans change frequently for many reasons. Weather is the most common reason, but it is not unusual for work schedules to be altered due to equipment malfunction, late material delivery or other unforeseen circumstances. NaviGAtor's lists of planned construction reflect the most up-to-date construction plans possible. However, information is most accurate 24 hours before the scheduled start, so we suggest you check back close to your departure time for the most accurate construction schedules.
We do not generally give out alternate routes because NaviGAtor covers only interstates and state routes.
Current conditions on secondary roads are often unknown. In the event of a major incident or construction
project, local surface streets may become just as congested or more so than interstates. Providing alternate
routes without knowing current conditions may redirect a motorist from one heavily-congested route to another. Sometimes, however, we may recommend certain interstates or state routes during major ongoing incidents or construction projects.
The best plan of action is to avoid delays by knowing your alternates in advance and using
MyNaviGAtor, a free subscriber service that sends customized travel alerts to your PDA, cell phone, or e-mail (your carrier's airtime and messaging fees may apply).
Because we are not a law enforcement agency, we do not provide written accident reports to the general public. The best thing to do is contact your supervisor en route to work during the incident and have them check www.georgia-navigator.com or call 511 for current incidents. Our developers are exploring the possibility of including a historical search function on our website in the future.
Would you like to see NaviGAtor, 511, and the HEROs in action? We offer free tours of the TMC Tuesday - Thursday, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. To schedule your tour or request more information, please contact us or call 404-635-8060.
