511 Alberta Help

511 Alberta is an interactive, easy to use system allowing travellers to quickly access timely and reliable information on road conditions, traffic, roadwork activities and incidents on the provincial highways. 511 Alberta offers multiple ways to access information:

  • Map View
  • Text Report
  • Customized Road Reports for Pre-defined Routes
  • Phone, Social Media and Other Features

1. Map View

  • To zoom in click the plus icon in the top-left corner. This will zoom towards the center of the currently displayed map. You can also zoom in with your mouse's scroll wheel or by double-clicking on the map.
  • You can also zoom directly to cities and parks with the "Search" bar in the upper right corner of the map window.
  • Pan and scroll in any direction by clicking and dragging the screen.
  • To zoom out click the minus icon in the top-left corner. You can also zoom out with your mouse's scroll wheel.
  • To view detailed road information provided on the map, simply click on the segment of highway of your interest whereupon a text box will appear on the map indicating the last updated conditions for that segment of highway.

What Types Of Information Does The Map Automatically Provide?

Road condition details, Cameras, and Events are automatically selected. Definitions and an explanation of our home page legend outlining the displayed conditions on our map can be found on our site at the following link Legend definitions page >>>

What Type Of Information Is Accessible From Within the Map Drop Down Menu?

The following information can be accessed by selecting/checking the appropriate box on the map legend menu:

The map automatically displays Cameras and Incident icons. Not interested in a certain type(s) of information? Then uncheck the appropriate box on the map Legend drop-down menu.

Report a Problem

  • The Report a Problem icon when selected highlights on the map the areas of operation and contact details of the individual Alberta Transportation Highway Maintenance Contractors.

Nat/Provincial Parks

  • When the Nat/Prov Parks check box is selected an icon is displayed at the location of Alberta's Parks, both Provincial and National.
  • Clicking on the park icon of choice opens a detailed overview of the park in question.
  • The information presented is everything from Facilities/Services and Recreational Activities to camping and event notices; a veritable treasure trove of advice for the outdoor enthusiast.

Cameras

  • Indicated by the icon on the map. Click on the icon to provide a photo of the stretch of highway where the camera is located. These photos are refreshed regularly, typically every 20 minutes.
  • The number and locations of cameras continues to expand throughout the province. As new cameras are installed and activated, they are added to the map.

Border Crossings

  • Border crossings when selected, displays on the map the location of the Canada/USA border crossings.
  • Once the user clicks on the border crossing of their choice a window opens from the Canada Border Services Agency. This page displays detailed information for that crossing including office hours and services when and if present.
  • In order to best serve the travelling public, delays when and if present and the expected duration of the same are also indicated.

Ferry Crossings

  • Indicated by the icon on the map. Click on the icon to view the latest schedule and service information for the ferry route in that location.

Events

  • The Events icon indicates that there are multiple advisories in that area. Zoom in to seperate the icons, or click on the icon to display a window that will provide further information for all the related items. For further information see Legend definitions page >>>

Weather

  • Environment Canada Weather Forecast icons are displayed on the map when users select Weather from the menu. Simply click on the various weather icons displayed on the map to access the Environment Canada Weather Forecast for your area of interest.

2. Text Report

  • This feature displays road condition and incident information in a list that is printer-friendly and easy to understand.


NOTE: The Text Report allows users to enter a highway of their choice into the search box and click "enter" which will immediately display the conditions for that particular highway. In addition, use the "Select type" check box to filter the report by data type. Click "Show Everything" to reset the report.

It’s worth noting that in the summer, where multiple segments of the same highway are reporting the same road conditions our intelligent system will report the conditions from the location of the start of the road segments which are identical to the end location of those road segments. For example if the conditions of all the individual segments of Highway 1 from the Saskatchewan Border to Calgary are identical then the text report will report that stretch of highway as one large segment.

3. Customized Road Reports for Pre-defined Routes

This feature allows travellers to quickly access road condition and incident information on pre-defined routes along the Alberta provincial highway network.

  • Click the ‘Select/cancel a route’ box in the drop-down menu found at the top of the map to select from the pre-defined route list.
  • The route in the map is highlighted, while step-by step directions are provided below the map; web cam images are provided within these details.
  • To exit the pre-defined route details, click the X.

4. Other Features

  • 511 Alberta provides a 24/7 automated phone service which reports the same data displayed on the 511 Alberta Website. The 511 number is toll-free from anywhere in Alberta. To access this feature from anywhere in North America, please phone 1-855-391-9743.
  • Found under the Links drop down menu, 511 Alberta subscription services include Twitter and RSS feeds. Please note; depending on your RSS reader, you may need to manually input the URL from the desktop version of 511Alberta. To do this, click the RSS subscribe icon and select which subscriptions (Highways) you would like to subscribe to. Click Add to select the highways and done to complete your selection. Input the URL displayed in the address bar into your RSS reader.