While Mayor Nancy Smith hustles to work on a variety of traffic-related issues affecting Maricopa, commuters have at least one option to quickly follow up on traffic conditions: AZ511.

Arizona’s travel information system provides notifications about traffic conditions around the state since 2002, through an online database and text notifications. The three-digit number 511 is a transportation code and telephone number designated for traffic information by the Federal Communications Commission.

“I was skeptical,” Smith said of the notification system. “I just hope that everybody gets word about it. This really works. And it’s probably not perfect but it’s better than not knowing and spending two hours on (State Route) 347.”

Smith had previously gushed about the notification system on social media and during city council meetings, noting its convenience and how easy it is to sign up.

How to get traffic notifications

While information from the system can be accessed through its website or social media accounts, it can also send text notifications when users sign up for an account.

Once an account has been created, click on “My AZ 511,” then “Manage Routes and Alerts.” Users can create multiple common routes and base notifications on delayed travel times, accidents, construction and closures.

A screenshot of the AZ511 notification options available, including selecting event types, time range for notifications and how those notifications are received. Courtesy az511.com.

“It works great. It’ll send me a text message that says it’s now taking 45 minutes to travel either northbound or southbound on 347,” Smith said. “You can determine am I going to travel on SR 347? Can I deal with a 45 minute commute or do I need to find another way that might be faster?”

Details: To sign up for AZ511, visit az511.com.

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