The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) is adding another important feature to its Intelligent Transportation System. Beginning today, Oct. 18 electronic signs (called dynamic message signs) on five city arterial streets will show current travel times during peak commute hours, from 6 to 9 a.m. and from 3 to 7 p.m. The signs will show the actual times it takes a vehicle to travel between two points, not estimates or averages. “We are excited by this new phase,” said Mayor McGinn. “This real-time information will help people make better travel decisions.”

The five dynamic message sign locations that will have travel times on Monday are:
• Fauntleroy Way Southwest near Southwest 38th Street
• 35th Avenue Southwest near Southwest Snoqualmie Street
• First Avenue South near South Bennett Street (close to south Lucile Street)
• Fourth Avenue South near South Spokane Street
• Holman Road Northwest near 14th Avenue Northwest

Travel times will be added to a dynamic message sign on Admiral Way SW by the end of October, and by March travel times will be added to three signs on SR99 and one on East Marginal Way South.

Also beginning Monday, travel times will be available on SDOT’s Traveler’s Information website and on iPhones (www.seattle.gov/travelers) seven days a week, 24-hours a day, for the following eight corridors:

• 15th Avenue Northwest/Elliott Way/15th Avenue West
• Airport Way South
• Denny Way
• First Avenue South
• Fourth Avenue South
• East Marginal Way
• West Seattle
• Aurora Avenue (will be available by March, 2011)

SDOT’s ongoing development of an Intelligent Transportation System enables the department to better manage traffic and helps the public make informed travel decisions. SDOT Director Peter Hahn stated that, “By making more efficient trips, travelers can reduce pollution, fuel consumption, and commuter times.”