TripCheck Mobile and 511 - Oregon Travel Information by Phone and PDA

TripCheck for phones

TripCheck has a web site formatted specifically for mobile devices such as cell phones and Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs). A user may access this web site by using the http://www.tripcheck.com URL or by using http://www.tripcheck.com/mobile

Either address will identify the user as being a mobile customer and automatically bring up the TripCheck Mobile web site formatted for these devices.

TripCheck Mobile uses a simple menu structure formatted specifically for navigation by mobile keypads. The information provided is targeted at those motorists making ‘in route’ travel decisions. Because of this focus, certain TripCheck information is not presented in the mobile format (Scenic Byways, Rest Areas, FAQs, for example). The TripCheck Mobile site presents the same incidents and road condition information as the main TripCheck.com web site.

Please consider the following when using TripCheck Mobile:

• Only those highways that have reported incidents are presented in the highway listing.



• Highways (with incidents) are listed in their order of significance, by highway category: Interstates are first (I-5, I-205, etc), followed by US highways (US 97, US395, etc.). Oregon highways are next (ORE6, HWY99, etc). The last grouping is other highways (99EBus).



• Some sections of Oregon highways may have more than one highway number designated -where those highways merge for a certain distance (i.e. Interstate 405 and US 26 for a short distance in Portland). Those sections are generally signed with both designations. Check both in TripCheck Mobile.



• A handy link is provided to cameras within 3 miles of an incident listed on TripCheck Mobile (if there are any). The cameras displayed are limited to those on the same highway as that of the incident.



• Camera Images are presented in two sizes to accommodate different screen sizes on mobile devices. Users can toggle between the small and large image.



• Camera Favorites on TripCheck Mobile works differently than the TripCheck Custom Cam feature. On TripCheck Mobile users have one list that can be edited to add or delete cameras.



• Road Condition information is specific to winter driving conditions and is only reported from late fall to early spring.



• If a Road Condition is listed as 'Severe' you will see an asterisk (*) in front of the link to that individual Road Condition report.



• The reference to ‘Regions’ on TripCheck Mobile represents the same geographic areas shown on the main TripCheck web site (Northwest, North, Northeast, etc.).



• Weather information from the National Weather Service is limited to Weather Warnings (Blizzard, Storm, etc.). Visit TripCheck.com from a ‘non-mobile’ device for forecast information.



• Incidents are listed by Mile Post (“MP”). A mile post represents a specific location on the highway. The mile post designations (as links to information and images) should generally appear in geographic order (lower numbers are at the western or northern end of a highway). The major exception is Interstate 5 whose lower Mile Post numbers start at its southern end at the California border and get larger as you progress north.



• Users should consult their mobile provider contract to access data charges that could accrue with use of a mobile device to access TripCheck Mobile.

Listen to travel conditions by phone

To hear travel information in Oregon by phone simply dial 511. The information provided via 511 is the same as displayed on ODOT's Web site, TripCheck.com.

Please be aware that some phone companies in Oregon do not support the 511 dialing option. If your carrier is among this group you may still access travel conditions using your phone. Dial toll free 800.977.ODOT (6368).

If dialing from outside of Oregon dial our toll number 503.588.2941.

Main Menu Options

1. Road Conditions by Highway
2. Road Conditions in Mountain Passes
3. Road Conditions in Major Cities
4. Commercial Vehicle Restrictions
5. Chain requirements
6. Road Condition Phone Numbers for Bordering States
7. Information about TripCheck Road Condition Phone System
8. Alerts review

We hope this information is helpful to those that are using our phone system. Please email the TripCheck Support email box (click here) if you have any questions about the changes.

511 Features

You may use TripCheck 511 system's voice recognition system to 'speak' your instructions into the system, just follow the prompts provided. This can speed your use of the system and make selection easier - particularly for cell phone users.

The system will also allow you to interrupt the information being presented if you want to navigate to another menu. For instance, speak 'highway' at any time and the system will return you to the Road Conditions by Highway menu option.

If you try to speak and the system is unable to recognize the word, or the telephone line has too much background noise, you will be given three opportunities before the system de-activates the voice prompt. Users for that call will then only be able to use the keypad to enter their choices from the menu above.

History of 511

In 2001 the Federal Communications Commission designated 511 as the single travel information phone number for states and local jurisdictions across the country. Oregon joins a number of states, including Washington, with service available to dial 511.

The Oregon Department of Transportation is proud to offer this service to help motorists with their travel plans.