Project.  N11  Completed

Principal investigator. Dr. Roger Stough, George Mason, 703-993-2281, rstough@gmu.edu

External contact. James Robinson, VDOT, 1401 E. Broad St., Richmond, VA 23219, 804-786-6677

Project objective. To assist VDOT in determining its strategy for handling N11.

Project abstract. The Federal Communications Commission plans to approve use of a so-called N11 number -- akin to the emergency number 911 or the information number 411 -- which would be dedicated to providing current traffic information to anyone who calls in. The potential as a tool for promoting advanced traveler information services is enormous, should N11 receive even a small fraction of the utilization that 911 or 411 has received.

There are, however, important institutional issues involved in N11, including who would manage the program; what, if any, would be the fee for using the number; and how centralized the overall process would be. This project addresses the range of such institutional issues associated with N11.

Tasks. 1) Policy white paper suitable for use by VDOT.

Milestones. This project will be completed by Dec. 31, 2000.

Student involvement. Two full-effort GRAs.

Budget.   $300,000

Relationship to other research projects. No immediate relationship.

Technology transfer. Report transmittal to VDOT and other interested parties.

Potential benefits. N11 has great potential, but also serious problem areas. This study will assist VDOT in making a cost-effective determination as to what N11 strategy to pursue.

TRB keywords. ITS, traveler information