Texas A&M Transportation Institute Seeks Public Opinion on I-35 Traveler Information Effort
College Station, TX (PRWEB) December 10, 2013 -- Researchers from the Texas A&M Transportation Institute want to hear from travelers about what information is useful, what isn’t, and what more could be provided. To participate in the brief, anonymous survey, visit http://my35survey.org. Survey results will be used to evaluate and improve current traveler information efforts.
As motorists who regularly travel I-35 through Central Texas know, construction work is well under way to improve this busy corridor. Providing travelers with information about potential construction-related delays — both before and during their trip along the entire 96-mile construction zone — is an integral part of the construction effort.
An initial survey identified the types of information travelers find useful in planning their trips, as well as the ways in which they prefer to receive that information. From that initial survey, a subscription-based email notification system was created to deliver daily lane closures notifications, a twice-weekly 7-day closure forecast and as-needed high impact-closure notices.
In addition to learning what types of information travelers wanted, the survey revealed that traffic wasn’t just local. A lot of people travel back and forth from San Antonio to Dallas along I-35, driving right through the 96-mile construction area. However, since through-travelers are not local, they might be less aware of information available to them for trip planning. TxDOT has a number of information channels for local and through-travelers, so travelers can sign up for the information they want, decide how effective these channels are for them and take the survey to let us know how we’re doing (prior to March 31, 2014).
My35 Central Texas Traveler Information Resources:
• My35.org is the hub for information resources for both planning your trip and remaining aware of any incidents that might occur on I-35.
• DriveTexas.org is your #1 resource for planning your route wherever you’re driving in Texas.
• Real-time project map provides speeds, lane closures, traffic delays, travel times and incidents.
• TxDOT twitter feeds give you both general and specific information (your choice) about travel conditions on I-35.
• @My35TravelTimes keeps you apprised of travel delays in the Central Texas section of I-35.
• @TxDOTWacoPIO provides general updates of what TxDOT is doing in and for the Waco District, with special emphasis on I-35 conditions.
• @I35Travel sends information regarding the entire length of I-35 within Texas.
• Email alerts – Sign up for regular updates on I-35 construction.
• My35 lane closure alerts provide daily updates, 7-day closure forecasts, and high-impact closure forecasts.
• Central Texas incident alerts provide email alerts about unexpected incidents (e.g., a wreck, an emergency lane closure).
The I-35 Expansion Project is designed to dramatically improve mobility and safety in the 60-year-old corridor, increasing capacity by 33 percent. Construction is underway to expand more than 96 miles of the Central Texas portion of I-35 between Hillsboro and Salado. Improvements include expansion from two to three lanes in each direction, improved roadside traveler information, a modern roadway design that enhances safety, and conversion of the two-way frontage roads to one way to improve safety and access on frontage roads.
Efforts to improve the I-35 corridor throughout the state would not be possible without the support of local governments, the Texas Legislature and the U.S. Congress. In addition to the ongoing $1.9 billion construction expansion of I-35 through TxDOT’s Waco District, a number of critical projects are underway in the Dallas/Fort Worth region to improve I-35 connections to I-820 and I-635 thanks to a partnership with the private sector. Meanwhile, TxDOT continues to plan for the long-term future of the I-35 corridor through the My35 citizen-driven planning initiative. For more information about I-35 expansion projects, the My35 planning effort, or to see a summary of the survey results once the survey is completed, visit My35.org.
Follow the My35 Expansion Project and learn about I-35 travel delays on Twitter at @I35Travel or @My35TravelTimes and on Facebook at facebook.com/TxDOT.
Michelle Hoelscher, Texas A&M University System, http://tti.tamu.edu, +1 (979) 847-8724, [email protected]
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