PA Launches Long-Term Road Closure Notification Program To Keep Drivers Safe In Emergencies​

Ahead of the winter season, Gov. Tom Wolf announced the launch of a new initiative that will keep motorists informed of long-term road closures due to accidents on state roads.

511PAConnect was developed after a significant amount of drivers being trapped in Winter Storm Jonas last year, Wolf's office said in a press release.

“People being stuck on roadways due to an accident isn’t a new problem, but we’re using modern technology to keep motorists informed about the status of accident cleanup and highway reopening,” Wolf said in a statement. “This connection with motorists will also allow us to have a clearer picture of who is sitting in a vehicle and where they are, so we can better plan for the use of our resources.”

511PAConnect will provide information updates to motorists in the event of a long-term road closure due to accidents on the Pennsylvania Turnpike or other state roadways, Wolf's office said.

Wolf said when personnel from the PA Turnpike and PennDOT identify a potential long-term closure, they will notify staff at the 24-hour Commonwealth Watch and Warning Center at the PA Emergency Management Agency.

Then, the agency will issue an initial location-based alert to motorists in the area of the closure, similar to how law enforcement uses the system to issue Amber Alerts for missing children, Wolf's office said.

“This system will only be used for emergencies that will last for a sustained period,” PEMA Director Richard D. Flinn Jr. said in a statement. “It is important for motorists to recognize that the system will only work in areas with cell phone service, and that this is not a substitute for calling 9-1-1 if you have an actual emergency in your vehicle.”

Motorists can register for automatic text messages or phone call updates in the event of a closure to stay up to date. Follow-up notifications from Turnpike and PennDOT staff monitoring closures will be sent to registered drivers. Once the incident is resolved, registered drivers will automatically be unsubscribed and all personal data will be scrubbed from the system, Wolf's office said.

“This new 511PAConnect initiative helps PennDOT in its mission to serve drivers regardless of weather or road conditions that may impede travel,” Department of Transportation Secretary Leslie S. Richards said in a statement. “While we hope we never have to use it, drivers will now have rapid communications on conditions when emergencies or major incidents impact their travel.”

PennDOT and the Turnpike offer a variety of tools to keep travelers informed during all levels of incidents, but 511PAConnect is the first of its kind to link directly to a targeted group of travelers who are affected by, or who are approaching, a large-scale emergency, according to Wolf's office.

“We certainly recognize that it can be stressful for travelers caught in an extended roadway closure, not knowing where they are, worrying how long they may have to sit there,” PA Turnpike CEO Mark Compton said in a statement. “At a time like that, just knowing someone is out there who is aware of your predicament can be a comfort; and the updates and life-safety messages we push out through this tool help to make stranded travelers feel connected.”

Wolf also encouraged drivers to keep emergency supplies in their cars year-round.

A basic emergency kit should include non-perishable food, water, a cell phone charger, and any specialized supplies such as baby or pet care items, as well as items appropriate for the weather such as a blanket, small shovel or rain gear.

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