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511 Questions and Answers
What is Québec 511? Québec 511 is part of a North American trend for information on transportation through an abbreviated 511 telephone number already available in several American administrations or States and one Canadian province, Nova Scotia. The purpose of this integrated multimodal portal is to facilitate access to information on transportation, both by phone and on the Web, allowing road users to plan their trips better throughout Québec. The information, which is partly the result of a partnership between the ministère des Transports du Québec (MTQ) and other bodies, such as the Société des traversiers du Québec (STQ), specifically concerns winter road conditions, roadwork, major incidents, weather alerts, ferry schedules and waiting times at border crossings. On the website, this list is enriched by traffic Webcam images, services offered at wayside parks, etc. The deployment of Québec 511 was made possible by the participation of the ministère des Transports du Québec in the 511 Consortium directed by the Intelligent Transportation Systems Society of Canada (ITS Canada), for reservation of the 511 number, and the MTQ’s leading role in the development of applications related to intelligent transportation systems in Québec. Is this service accessible in every region of Québec? The Québec 511 telephone service is accessible everywhere in Québec and works on all telephony systems. All you have to do is call 511 for instant access free of charge. How can I call Québec 511 if I am outside the Province of Québec? It is possible to consult Québec 511 free of charge from anywhere in North America by calling 1 888 355-0511 What happens to the Inforoutière service of the ministère des Transports du Québec? Inforoutière has been replaced by Québec 511, which offers the same products and services, and more. What type of information can be obtained from Québec 511? Québec 511, accessible both by phone and on the Web, is the only official source of all transportation information necessary to plan safe trips on the Québec road network, regardless of the season. It is also the place to report an incident on the road network, obtain information on any subject related to the mission of the ministère des Transports, or make a comment or complaint. The services vary according to the consultation mode chosen, but they are always current and as up-to-date as possible. On the Web, users can find a wide range of information in the transportation field, including the MTQ’s traffic Webcam images, learn how to subscribe to a carpooling list, look up the Québec bikeway network, access the main public services regarding transportation or the 511 services of the neighbouring road networks, and find the estimated road distance of a trip. The most frequently consulted section on the Web or by telephone is Road Network Conditions, which contains the information you need to plan your trips better. On the Website and on 511 Mobile (personal digital assistant, such as BlackberryTM), this section brings together all the information regarding the road network, on an interactive map or in text format, presented by region or by highway (route) or freeway (autoroute) number:
By phone, the information is accessible by trip, by road or by access, such as a bridge, a border crossing or a ferry. In the case of requests regarding a given route, the automated system provides an estimate of the travelling distance. Can I speak to a representative to obtain information? The information disseminated is updated automatically, both by phone and on the Website. It is identical to the information provided by the representatives. The users thus obtain automated information that is as up-to-date as possible. The General Information Service is available on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. This service can be reached by dialing 3 of the general menu. Is the information provided on the phone and on the Internet also accessible in English? Most of the information is offered in English. However, for technical and organizational reasons, some information is not translated. Is the Québec 511 service adapted to people who have speech, visual or hearing impairments? Québec 511 Web conforms to the WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines), application of which is required by the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI). Most of the information contained on the Website is in HTML language or in ASCII (text format). However, it will be necessary to have special software to interpret the content of certain pages presented in Adobe Acrobat Portable Document Format (PDF), Adobe Flash. The Québec 511 telephone service works by voice recognition, but also allows the user to request information from a telephone keypad. This functionality allows users with elocution or other difficulties to consult Québec 511 without any problem. If I have a breakdown or an emergency on the road, can I call Québec 511 for assistance? It is preferable to call 911 for any emergency. However, if you notice a specific situation that concerns the ministère des Transports, such as debris on the roadway, you may call 511 at any time to report this situation to one of our representatives. What is the source of the information disseminated by the Québec 511 service? The dissemination of information to the general public is an integral part of the priorities of the ministère des Transports. Aware of the potentially disruptive effects of the events in progress on its road network, the Ministère has adopted information transmission procedures and information tools to reach users, road professionals and its various partners. Teams throughout the province ensure regular updating of the information disseminated through Québec 511. As the information evolves, it is captured in MTQ dissemination applications and transferred to Québec 511 within minutes. For many years, the MTQ has disseminated information on winter road conditions and the roadwork under its responsibility, particularly through public relayers. Québec 511 also disseminates information coming from the MTQ’s partners, such as Société des traversiers du Québec and the Canada Border Services Agency. How frequently is the information disseminated by the Québec 511 updated? The information concerning major events in progress on the road network resulting in significant obstacles is updated as soon as the MTQ is informed of a change in the condition of the road or when the event evolves or ends. The information on winter road conditions is updated at least twice a day (very early in the morning and in the afternoon) or whenever changes occur. Information on roadwork is updated when a project is completed or as the work evolves. Once the information is captured in the information processing systems, it is made accessible on Québec 511 within no more than 5 minutes. How much will it cost me to call Québec 511? Use of the Québec 511 service is free in Québec. Please note that your cellular telephony provider may bill for use of wireless network minutes. Is there a way to obtain an automatic status update regarding a specific road? It is possible to receive the latest information updates on the status of the Québec road network instantly, free of charge on your computer or your personal digital assistant. All you have to do is access the Québec 511 Website (www.quebec511.gouv.qc.ca) and consult the section RSS Subscriptions to subscribe. To be able to display the XML content on your personal digital assistant or your computer, you need an RSS reader or an RSS Web module. However, RSS* feeds are not exclusive to Québec 511. Several software products offer this service. Many readers are offered on the Web; while some must be purchased, others can be downloaded free of charge. Does the ministère des Transports plan to improve its Québec 511 service by using new technologies on the market? The MTQ attaches great importance to traveller information. It is constantly on the lookout for technological innovations applied in the transportation field that can improve safety and facilitate road travel for users. It is continuing to think about new technologies applied to intelligent transportation systems (ITS) and information dissemination tools that would allow the users of its road network to plan their trips better, based on traffic hindrances (accidents, roadwork, road congestion, etc.). Is it permissible to consult Québec 511 while driving? No. It is dangerous to use a cell phone or a personal digital assistant while driving. The ministère des Transports du Québec reminds you that use of such handheld devices is prohibited while driving. Operating an automobile requires your full attention and concentration. While at the wheel, you must maintain constant vigilance because of the many unexpected situations that can occur on the road. Using such devices is a major source of distraction. According to a study conducted in Québec, a driver who uses a cell phone has a 38% higher risk of having an accident. The risk of committing a Highway Safety Code offence (e.g., running a red light, not making a compulsory stop) also increases. How can I obtain information on the condition of the road network, such as winter road conditions from neighbouring States or provinces? There is a Neighbouring Road Networks section on Québec 511 Web that gives you access to these links to the 511 services of the States and provinces bordering on Québec. However, this service is unavailable on the phone line for the time being. Partnerships with neighbouring provinces or States are currently under study.
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