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Frequently Asked Questions
We've compiled the following from the questions we routinely get
from the public regarding our website and other Georgia DOT functions.
If you've looked here and still cannot find an answer to your question,
please feel free to drop a note to the
Webmaster.
When will NaviGAtor coverage reach my area? [top]NAVIGATOR was conceived and is being built as a statewide system. The
earliest deployments were in metropolitan Atlanta in preparation for the 1996
Summer Olympic Games. Following the Olympics, the Atlanta-area system was
expanded from a coverage area of 45 miles of freeway to today's coverage of
approximately 195 freeway miles. Additionally, NaviGAtor covers I-475 in the Macon area.
Continuous expansion is taking place, with a priority
on areas that experience the heaviest congestion.
We expect to complete NaviGAtor coverage in the Atlanta region by 2010. Completed coverage includes traffic cameras, congestion sensors, changeable message signs (CMS), ramp meters, and HERO patrols. Sections now online include the full I-285 loop, the southern end of I-575 and the extensions of coverage on I-75 and I-20. Sections coming soon include I-675 and portions of
I-85 and GA 400. In addition, the HERO program has expanded to approximately 87 certified operators patrolling 30 routes seven days a week.
Outside of Atlanta, the NaviGAtor system now includes a hurricane evacuation
system in the coastal areas. The hurricane evacuation system includes cameras
and message signs along critical evacuation routes away from the coast. In the
event of an evacuation, GDOT will be able to monitor these roadways and provide
information to evacuees.
Although ITS coverage is most comprehensive in the
Atlanta area, there is still information available to
the public from other parts of the state. We track
major highway incidents throughout Georgia, as well as
any highway lane closures using reports from our seven
Districts and on-site construction managers. That
information is available from NAVIGATOR operators 24
hours a day 7 days a week by dialing 511. Although we
cannot provide travel times or detailed travel
conditions for every highway in the state, we can
provide information on the trouble spots to avoid. For 511 FAQs, click here.
Click here for a map showing our timetable for expansion in the Atlanta region.
Can I call 511 to request HERO assistance? [top]
Yes, if you are in metro Atlanta, dial 511 from any phone and select option "1" to request HERO motorist assistance. Please note, however, that the HEROs are primarily responsible for incident management and roadway clearance. Assisting stranded motorists is a secondary duty as conditions allow. During major traffic incidents or severe weather, HEROs may not be available for routine motorist assistance. You should arrange for alternate roadside assistance during these times. Exceptions may be made for disabled vehicles obstructing travel lanes. Click here for more information.
What routes do the HEROs patrol? [top]
HEROs currently patrol the following metro Atlanta freeways:
- I-20 between Thornton Rd. (Exit 44) and SR20/SR138/Stockbridge Hwy. (Exit 82)
- I-75 between SR 155 (Exit 216) and Emerson-Allatoona Rd. (Exit 283)
- I-85 between SR 74/Senoia Rd. (Exit 61) and SR 20 (Exit 115)
- I-285 between Washington Rd. (Exit 1) and Old National Hwy. (Exit 62)
- I-575 between Barrett Pkwy. (Exit 1) and Townlake Pkwy. (Exit 8)
- I-675 between I-75 and I-285
- I-985 between I-85 and Spout Springs Rd./Flowery Branch Rd. (Exit 12)
- SR 166/Langford Pkwy. between I-285 and I-75/85
- US 78 between Valley Brook Rd./N. Druid Hills (Exit 1) and West Park Place Blvd. (Exit 9)
- SR 400 between Sidney Marcus Blvd/Piedmont Rd. (Exit 1) and Windward Pkwy (Exit 11)
Click on the following links for HERO Route maps :
How can I send my comments to the HERO Unit? [top]
If you have comments about the HERO Program, or if you've been helped by a HERO and would like to say thanks, we'd love to hear from you! Please contact us. If you have additional questions about the HERO unit, please click here.
How can I request a HERO to visit my child's school? [top]
Click here for more information.
Why are certain devices not working? [top]The Georgia DOT performs routine maintenance on the cameras and signs;
however there will be times that certain cameras, signs or speed information
is unavailable. Because these devices are used by operators at the TMC 24
hours a day, seven days a week, we are aware
very quickly when problems occur.
All I get are still shots when I look at the cameras. How can I get live video like I see on the local TV stations? [top]
Local TV stations installed high-tech equipment at our facility in 1996 that allows them to receive four live feeds from the roof of TMC to their news headquarters. This is what you see on the news. Navigator does not yet provide streaming camera video on the site; however, we are exploring options that would allow short clips (5-10 secs) to appear online.
I was involved in an accident at X location. How can I obtain the video of it? [top]
We do not record our traffic cameras. In metro Atlanta, we have about 500 GDOT cameras and over 200 city and county traffic cameras to monitor 24 hours a day. These cameras are used only to monitor traffic and manage incidents as they occur. Most of the time we do not even "see" an accident as it happens, only the accident scene afterwards.
But I've seen recorded video from your cameras on the local TV stations before... [top]
The local TV stations installed high-tech equipment at our facility in 1996 that allows them to receive four live feeds from our building to their news headquarters. It is possible that some of them record the video and re-broadcast it later. This is what you see on the news.
The camera images are refreshed approximately every 4 to 5 minutes.
It's difficult to determine which direction the camera is facing. How can I tell?
[top]
If you're looking at cameras via the
camera list, as opposed to from the maps, the most reliable method for obtaining
camera direction is to refer to the caption at the bottom of the image: "lanes nearest
to the cameras are xxxx-bound." Regardless of technical issues or which way the
camera is pointing, this statement always holds true.
For example, in the above image, the statement "Lanes nearest to the camera are southbound." So therefore, the lanes with the
heavier traffic (closer to the camera) are southbound. The lanes on the opposite side of the barrier wall (further away from
the camera) are headed northbound. Even if we rotate the camera around to point north, the lanes nearest to the camera will
still be southbound. This method is 100% reliable.
Remember, in order to get the "lanes nearest to the camera are xxxx-bound" statement for each of your desired cameras, you'll
need to visit our regular public website at www.georgia-navigator.com.
Click on CAMERAS on the left margin and select the ones you are interested in posting. You will see the "nearest to"
statement below each image.
Why am I getting camera images from past days/times when I try to check current conditions? [top]You may be able to fix this problem by pressing F5 or by holding down
the shift key while clicking on the refresh button in your browser.
If this does not correct it, please feel free to contact us.
When I drove under a changeable message sign, the message said it would take 10 minutes to reach the next point, but it took much longer than that. Was the sign not working? [top]Interstate conditions change in the blink of an eye. If an incident occurs
5 miles ahead at the same time or after you pass under the sign, the system
will not have had a chance to recognize that change and update the message. If
you notice consistent errors in any sign, please feel free to report them to
webmaster@georgia-navigator.com
so that we can investigate and make corrections if necessary.
Many of the trip time segments are not providing data. What is wrong?
[top]
The trip times are designed to only work when there is a sufficient amount of
good data. We have sensors every 1/3 mile on the highway. If several of these
sensors are not reporting good data, the trip times will stop working on the website.
GDOT is working on repairing all of the sensors in order to bring back trip times to the site.
How often are the average speeds refreshed on the map? [top]The average speeds shown on the map are refreshed approximately every 2-3
minutes.
Is the speed information used to ticket drivers? [top]The speeds shown on the NAVIGATOR web page are an average speed of ALL
the vehicles collected approximately every 20 seconds. These speeds do not represent
individual vehicle speeds and are not used for law enforcement.
How accurate is construction information? [top]Construction plans change frequently for many reasons. Weather is the most
common reason, but it is not unusual for work schedules to be altered due to
equipment malfunction, late material delivery or other unforeseen
circumstances. NaviGAtor's lists of planned construction reflect the most
up-to-date construction plans possible. However, information is most accurate
24 hours before the scheduled start, so we suggest you check back close to your
departure time for the most accurate construction schedules.
Why doesn't GDOT give out alternate routes? [top]
We do not generally give out alternate routes because NaviGAtor covers only interstates and state routes. Current conditions on secondary roads are often unknown. In the event of a major incident or construction project, local surface streets may become just as congested or more so than interstates. Providing alternate routes without knowing current conditions may redirect a motorist from one heavily-congested route to another. Sometimes, however, we may recommend certain interstates or state routes during major ongoing incidents or construction projects.
The best plan of action is to avoid delays by knowing your alternates in advance and using MyNaviGAtor, a free subscriber service that sends customized travel alerts to your PDA, cell phone, or e-mail (your carrier's airtime and messaging fees may apply).
I need proof that an incident occurred because I was late for work. Does GDOT provide this information? [top]
Because we are not a law enforcement agency, we do not provide written accident reports to the general public. The best thing to do is contact your supervisor en route to work during the incident and have them check www.georgia-navigator.com or call 511 for current incidents. Our developers are exploring the possibility of including a historical search function on our website in the future.
I would like to tour the TMC. Who should I contact to make arrangements? [top]
Would you like to see NaviGAtor, 511, and the HEROs in action? We offer free tours of the TMC Tuesday - Thursday, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. To schedule your tour or request more information, please contact us or call (404) 635-8060.
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