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| What is CommuterLink? |
| CommuterLink is an Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) that uses
technology to save lives, time, and money. It is a computer-controlled system
designed to monitor and manage traffic flow on freeways and surface streets.
System components include closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, electronic
roadway signs (ERS), the 511 Travel Information Line, coordinated traffic
signals, ramp meters, traffic speed and volume sensors, pavement sensors, and
weather sensors.
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| How does CommuterLink work? |
| Using closed-circuit TV cameras, traffic and weather sensors,
coordinated traffic signals, and ramp meters, operators in the Utah Department
of Transportation (UDOT) Traffic Operation Center (TOC) monitor and manage
traffic flow on surface streets and freeways. The UDOT TOC is connected to
smaller Traffic Control Centers (TCCs) in Salt Lake City and Salt Lake County,
as well as UTA's three Radio Control Centers. All these agencies work together
to improve travel along the Wasatch Front. The traffic, weather, and accident
information collected at the TOC is communicated to Utah travelers via the 511
Travel Information Line, electronic roadway signs, radio, television, and the
Internet. This information helps travelers “Know Before They Go†and allows
them to make informed transportation decisions.
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| How did CommuterLink begin? |
| As Utah continues to grow, so does the challenge of mobility. In
1995, the Utah Senate passed Senate Bill 1995-12, which addressed Utah's
transportation challenges by establishing a Traffic Management Committee to
work with UDOT in implementing Traffic Management Systems on state highways.
The Traffic Management Committee (TMC) consists of representatives from Salt
Lake City, UDOT, Wasatch Front Regional Council, Mountainland Association
of Governments, Salt Lake County, the Department of Public Safety, and the Utah
Department of Air Quality. This committee recognized the benefits of using an
Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) to manage traffic flow and improve the
efficiency of existing roads. The Utah Transit Authority and the Federal
Highway Administration also partnered with the TMC as additional ITS
possibilities were explored. CommuterLink is made possible through the
cooperation of these public agencies.
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| How is CommuterLink funded?
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| The total cost to implement the initial phase of CommuterLink was
$70 million – $1 million in local funds, $52 million in state funds, and $17
million in federal funds.
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| How effective is CommuterLink?
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| In its first years of operation, CommuterLink has proven its
effectiveness. The system has already helped increase peak-hour freeway speeds
by 20% and reduce freeway delays, traffic signal stops, and intersection delays
by 36%, 15%, and 27%, respectively. And this is just the beginning of what
CommuterLink has to offer.
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| Does this mean I never have to stop at a red light?
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| Although CommuterLink cannot guarantee you will only get green
lights, the system does help make traveling along the Wasatch Front more
efficient. CommuterLink has already helped reduce traffic signal stops by 15%.
It has also helped reduce intersection delays by 27 %. Continued benefits are
anticipated as the timing at more and more intersections is updated.
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| Why does UTAH need CommuterLink?
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| CommuterLink has already improved the safety and efficiency of
transportation all along the Wasatch Front. Many Utah cities and towns are
experiencing significant population growth, with the accompanying traffic
congestion and economic impacts. CommuterLink is a cost-effective and efficient
solution to help relieve congestion on roads and highways. Although
CommuterLink doesn’t mean we will never need to build additional roads, it
represents a transportation solution that allows the maximum efficiency on
existing roads.
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| Will CommuterLink save me money? If so, how are cost savings measured?
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| Yes, in only its first few years of operation, CommuterLink has
already saved Utahns time and money. By increasing peak-hour freeway speeds
while reducing freeway delays, traffic signal stops, and intersection delays,
CommuterLink is projected to save Utahns more than $100 million each year.
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| How does CommuterLink enhance safety? |
| By reducing congestion, CommuterLink helps decrease the number of
accidents that occur. When accidents do occur, CommuterLink helps emergency
personnel quickly identify, respond to, and clear the accident. These highly
trained personnel include UDOT’s Incident Management Team members who help
stranded motorists and assist the highway patrol in managing traffic around
accidents.
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| Is CommuterLink a law enforcement tool?
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| CommuterLink is designed to increase the safety and efficiency of
local roads and freeways and to inform drivers of adverse conditions such as
accidents or congestion. It is not intended to identify speeders or enforce
traffic laws.
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| Will the camera footage be recorded and saved? |
| As a general rule, camera footage will not be recorded and saved.
Some occasional camera footage may be recorded strictly for training purposes.
This footage will be used to analyze and improve responses to future roadway
incidents.
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| How can I find out if there is a tranportation problem along my route?
|
One of the most important features of CommuterLink is its ability to
give Utahns valuable real-time transportation information. The transportation,
weather, and accident information constantly gathered at the TOC is
communicated to Utah travelers via the 511 Travel Information Line, radio,
television, the Internet, and electronic message signs along the roadways.
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| What is the 511 travel information line and how does it work? |
| 5-1-1 is a FREE travel information phone number that offers
statewide updates on transportation, including traffic, winter road conditions,
public transit, and Lake Powell Ferry services. With 511, finding the
transportation information you need to “Know Before You Go†is easier than ever
before. Like dialing 911 for an emergency or 411 for directory assistance,
those who travel in Utah can dial 511 toll-free to obtain transportation
information. Travelers wishing to access the system from outside the state can
call 866-511-UTAH (8824). The system is voice-activated, allowing callers to
simply speak their requests instead of having to select options by dialing more
numbers. Utah was one of the first states to launch 511 after the Federal
Communications Commission officially designated 511 as a nationwide number for
travel information in July 2000.
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| What is Connection Protection and how does it work? |
Connection Protection is part of a program called Bus/Rail
Integration that uses advanced technology and communications to track and
predict TRAX train departure times, provide the information to the electronic
platform signs, send location and status information to TRAX Controllers, and
send data messages to specific buses waiting at TRAX stations. If a TRAX train
is delayed past the scheduled transfer window that usually allows for bus
transfers, the system automatically generates a message to the mobile data
terminals of waiting buses that gives hold instructions to the bus operator and
radio controllers. This protects the customer's transfer connection between
trains and buses giving passengers a truly protected and seamless connection
from their train to their bus.
The system works by simultaneously tracking all trains in the system and
comparing them against their schedule several times each minute. If a train is
running more than three minutes behind schedule, the system begins to check
forward to see if any bus connections are at risk of being missed. If any
connections are identified, then the system automatically generates a message
to the waiting buses giving them specific instructions to hold so that any
passengers transferring from the train to buses will not miss those
connections. For example, if a train is supposed to arrive in Sandy at 11:30,
but is predicted to arrive at 11:34 due to a delay, the connecting buses to
Utah County will receive a message telling them to wait at the station until
11:36 to give passengers time to transfer. The Connection Protection system
covers 18 bus routes that carry nearly 20,000 passengers each weekday.
Connection Protection is just one example of how technology in transportation
is being used to enhance transit services in Utah.
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| Why are the electronic roadway signs blank most of the time? |
| To maximize the effectiveness of the variable message signs, they
are blank when conditions are normal and are only used when there is a problem.
Messages will only appear on the signs if there is an accident, a road closure,
or another condition that motorists need to be aware of.
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| What is the "Amber Alert"? How is it related to CommuterLink? |
"Amber Alert" is the name of Utah’s Child Abduction Alert System.
This system is a voluntary, cooperative partnership between law-enforcement and
other agencies as well as local broadcasters. It is designed to alert the
public when a child has been abducted and is believed to be in grave danger.
CommuterLink has been selected as an “official source†of Amber Alert
information and supports the system by disseminating information to the public
via electronic roadway signs, highway advisory radio, the 511 Travel
Information Line, the CommuterLink website, and e-mail alerts. To find out if
there is currently an Amber Alert, you may click on the “Alerts†button on the
top toolbar of this website and then select “Amber / Child Abduction Alerts.â€
You will also experience a pop-up alert when you log onto this site if there is
a current Amber Alert.
The public plays an essential role in the success of the Amber Alert. The plan
relies on the public to help locate abducted children before it's too late.
Following are instructions for the public:
*If you hear an Amber Alert be on the lookout for the child and
suspect described in the alert message. The alert will include a telephone
number so you can report any sightings to that number as soon as possible. Call
911 if you are unsure of the number.
*Local TV and radio broadcasters will have updated information about
the victim or suspect. You can also obtain “Amber Alert†information by calling
511 or by checking this website (commuterlink.utah.gov).
*If you witness a child abduction, contact your local law enforcement agency or
911 to report it quickly. Be sure to make note of important information such as
the physical characteristics of the child and suspect, the make and model of
any vehicles involved (including license plate numbers if possible), and the
precise location of the abduction.
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| How will CommuterLink change over time?
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| Plans are already underway to extend the area covered by
CommuterLink. In the future, CommuterLink will incorporate vehicle
location-based schedule information from UTA buses and light rail vehicles.
Next train and scheduled arrivals by station for TRAX light rail trains will
soon be available along with real-time transit alerts via the Web, the 511
Travel Information Line, and wireless Web on your phone
(www.ut511.com). Advanced electronic payment services on buses and at
light rail stations will also make transit easier to use.
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| Can I tour the TOC or get more information? |
| To schedule a tour of the TOC or for more information, please call
(801) 887-3710.
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| Do the map pages automatically refresh? |
| Yes, all map pages on this site will automatically reload with new
fresh images and data every 5 minutes. After connecting to the site you
could leave the page open for hours and see the traffic information updated on
a regular basis.
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| What is the best browser to use when viewing the CommuterLink web site? |
| Internet Explorer 6 & 7 and Mozilla/Firefox 2. |