Editing 5-1-1 (section)

===History and implementation===
Beginning as a research project at the University of North Dakota in the Summer 1995, an Advanced Traveler Information System, known by its phone number #SAFE (#7233). This initial system provided the proof of concept for a statewide application across both North and South Dakota, and later Minnesota. This system proved that all interstates, and state highways, could be covered and information about these roadways could be provided to travelers on demand 24/7. After more than 5 years of around the clock operations, the principles that established the operational and business rules of the #SAFE program were adopted by the FHWA as the initial guidelines of what was to later become 5-1-1.

In March 1998, a 3-digit dialing code was launched in the [[Cincinnati metropolitan area|Cincinnati–Northern Kentucky metropolitan area]] for the [[ARTIMIS]] project. The SmarTraveler service, operated by SmartRoute Systems for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet since 1995, had been using a 7-digit code (333-3333) which was available to landline phones in both Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky area codes, but cellular callers had to dial a separate code (*1) to access the same touch-tone traffic system. SmartRoute Systems and KYTC negotiated with the two active cellular carriers and [[Cincinnati Bell]] and reached an agreement on allowing a 3-digit code "2-1-1" (a number agreed by the carriers), making this the "first in the nation".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Aultman-Hall |first1=Lisa |title=Evaluation of ARTIMIS Telephone Information System |url=https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/2795/dot_2795_DS1.pdf |date=December 1999 |id=Report No. KTC-99-66}}</ref> This implementation was seen as proof that wireless carriers could implement short-codes without a * or # prefix requirement, and led to a series of discussions with the USDOT and the FCC pushing the carriers to release the number (which they viewed as precious internal resources).

On October 2, 1996, Eli Sherer of SmartRoute Systems, along with representatives from ITS America, the USDOT Joint Program Office, and others met with the FCC <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/filing/170540|title = ECFS}}</ref> regarding the possibility of reserving an N11 number nationwide for Advanced Traveler Information Systems. This meeting led to further discussions at ITS America and USDOT, and the information provided was used and molded into the USDOT petition to the FCC for a 3-digit code for ATIS. The USDOT petition (as noted below) did NOT request a specific N11 number; When the FCC ruling was made on July 21, 2001, the 511 code was "ASSIGNED as a national abbreviated dialing code to be used exclusively for access to travel information services," and at the same time, the 211 code was "ASSIGNED as a national abbreviated dialing code to be used to access community information and referral services." Therefore, the 211 code that had been in use in Cincinnati since 1998 was changed to 511.

As of March 2001, at least 300 telephone numbers existed for travel information systems in the United States. To overcome the confusion caused by this array of numbers, the [[United States Department of Transportation]] (USDOT) petitioned the [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) for a national assignment of a single three-digit [[N11 code|N11]] dialing code. On July 21, 2000, the FCC assigned 511 as a nationwide telephone number for [[intelligent transportation system]] (ITS) traveler information,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.deploy511.org/docs/511%20Guidelines%20Version%203.0.pdf |title=511 Guidelines Version 3.0 |page=5 |date=September 2005 |access-date=April 7, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070317022437/http://www.deploy511.org/docs/511%20Guidelines%20Version%203.0.pdf |archive-date=March 17, 2007 }}</ref> along with [[2-1-1]] for social services. Its use is being promoted by the USDOT's ITS initiative.<ref>{{cite journal | title=FCC designates 511 traffic information number | journal=Civil Engineering | volume=70 | issue=9 | page=12 | date=September 2000}}</ref>

<blockquote>"On March 8, 1999, the U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) petitioned the  Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to designate a nationwide three-digit telephone number for traveler information. <br />On July 21, 2000, the FCC designated 511 as  the United States' national travel information telephone number."<ref name="511-Deployment-5">{{cite book |title=Deployment Assistance Report #5: Public Transportation Content on 511 Services |date=June 2003 |publisher=511 Deployment Coalition |url=https://icma.org/sites/default/files/4624_.pdf |access-date=9 January 2021 |quote=International City/County Management Association}}</ref></blockquote>

The first 511 traveler information system to launch was the Cincinnati area's ARTIMIS hotline in June 2001.<ref>[http://www.its.dot.gov/511/colorDeploymentStatus3.htm "511 Deployment Status"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080921194718/http://www.its.dot.gov/511/colorDeploymentStatus3.htm |date=September 21, 2008 }}, USDOT. Retrieved on March 3, 2008</ref>

The first statewide 511 traveler information system was launched across the state of Nebraska in October 2001.<ref>[https://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/511/locations/nebraska.htm "Nebraska 511 Information"], USDOT. Retrieved on June 12, 2009</ref>

Eight states, from Alaska to Maine, pooled resources and expertise to develop the 511 voice-activated phone service for travelers. Led by the Iowa DOT, the multi-state consortium received $700,000 from the Federal Highway Administration to help pay for system design and software development. Each state also provided a 20 percent matching fund, boosting total funds to nearly $900,000. In addition to Iowa, the participating states in the consortium (as of 2011) are Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Sacramento Area Council of Governments, and Vermont.

Individual states have the lead role in coordinating 511 deployments. National leadership is provided by the 511 Deployment Coalition.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://deploy511.org/index.htm |title=Deploy511.org |publisher=Deploy511.org |access-date=2012-05-23 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523134353/http://www.deploy511.org/index.htm |archive-date=May 23, 2012 }}</ref> Led by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), and including travel information experts from more than 30 organizations, the Coalition has developed voluntary guidelines for state transportation agencies to follow when planning 511 service for their states or regions. Other leading member organizations of the Coalition include the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), the Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS America), and the U.S. Department of Transportation.