Knowledge Resources

In January 2003, Montana DOT (MDT) implemented its 511 system to provide travelers with traffic and road weather conditions. The 511 traveler information system is a part of the Greater Yellowstone Regional Traveler and Weather Information Systems (GYRTWIS) project. The GYRTWIS project integrated the #SAFE weather forecast and road condition system with the SAFE-PASSAGE pavement thermal model system. The GYRTWIS will be accessible via landline and mobile phones using the 511 phone number.

The cost to implement GYRTWIS 511 includes system development; voice recognition system; marketing; addition of regional reports, AMBER (America’s Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response), Homeland Security, and general transportation alerts; and addition of Glacier National Park (GNP) to 511. Annual operating cost for 2004 and 2005 include contracted services and equipment lease; toll charges; marketing; operating cost for the alert systems; and provision of GNP information. The costs are detailed in the table below.

Description	Capital Costs	2004 O&M Costs	2005 O&M Costs
Cost to build associated system interface components (database and weather model for Montana)	$89,700
Operating cost for a state-wide 511 traveler information system excluding toll-charges		$135,005	$142,781
Toll charges for public access to 511 infrastructure		$51,848	$43,949
Capital improvement for the addition of voice recognition	$5,400
Marketing costs (annual costs are approximate)	$66,000	$5,000	$5,000
Capital improvement for AMBER, Homeland Security, and general transportation alerts	$18,046
Annual operating cost for alert system (statewide for 2004; MDT and GNP for 2005)		$3,600	$3,600
Capital improvement for the addition of regional reports over 511	$8,854
Capital improvement for the addition of GNP to 511 and the 511 menu restructure (cost split between MDT and GNP)	$3,000*
Toll charges for the public to access the GNP information (Paid by GNP)			$400
Interactive voice response charges for having GNP information on 511. (Paid by MDT/$50 per month/GNP info was on system for 4 months of 2005)			$200
TOTAL	$191,000	$195,453	$195,930

* Capital cost incurred 2005

Notes:
See also: Final Evaluation Report for the Greater Yellowstone Regional Traveler and Weather Information System (GYRTWIS). Report prepared for the U.S. DOT by SAIC, Task 9826. 30 December 2003.