In time for increased travel associated with the upcoming holiday season, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) announced today it will be providing travel time information on I-95 on weekends.
Beginning today, Monday, November 21, 2011, RIDOT will make travel times available seven days a week along the full length of I-95 in Rhode Island, both Northbound and Southbound. Weekend travel time information will be displayed through the holiday season, ending on January 6, 2012.
"With more people on the roads during the holidays, traffic volumes naturally increase beyond what motorists normally expect, even on weekends," RIDOT Director Michael P. Lewis said. "We are pleased to be able to provide motorists this information to help them get to their destinations with as much information as we can provide."
Travel times are displayed to motorists on fixed overhead electronic message signs and on portable roadside electronic message signs from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. This information complements other travel planning services RIDOT has for motorists including 511, the Highway Advisory Radio (1630 AM) and live traffic cameras at www.tmc.dot.ri.gov.
The travel times are calculated using sensors that were previously put into place to measure traffic volumes. The equipment measures the speed of traffic in real time as vehicles travel from one sensor to another, and determines an approximate travel time for each segment of road along the route.
Travel time information will be displayed from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Urgent messages such as a vehicle crash or winter storm-related messages will take precedence. Further information on the travel times program can be found at www.dot.ri.gov/travelri/traveltimes.asp. Historical travel times information, including typical busy periods during major holidays, can be found at www.tmc.dot.ri.gov/traveltimes/default.asp.
Those with questions can contact RIDOT's Customer Service office at 401-222-2450 weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Additional information may be available on RIDOT's social media sites on Twitter, Facebook, MySpace and Blogger.
Contact: Charles St. Martin 401-222-1362 x4007