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A necessary prerequisite for providing good traveler information is a system that collects accurate and timely information regarding sources and levels of congestion.

• If there are not already sensors or probe vehicles monitoring traffic conditions on congested sections of the freeway, consider installing sensors or a probe vehicle system to provide estimates of delay and travel times.
  
  
• If your region has considerable incident related congestion, consider improving the incident detection function of the traffic management agency. 
  
  
• Obtain current information about construction and maintenance activities affecting the freeways.
  
  
• Obtain information about weather that might affect freeway operations, and monitor freeway conditions and speed and chain controls during bad weather.   

Pre-trip traveler information

• Consider making incident, construction, and weather-related traffic information available on a website or via telephone.
  
  
• Consider making live video of the most congested locations available on the web and TV during the congested period.
  
  
• Consider developing a web site and telephone system that provides information on current traffic conditions, transit schedules and expected travel times on specific routes and modes for a user-selected origin, destination, and departure time window.    

En-route traveler information

• In work zones, consider portable variable message signs to specify work hours, speed restrictions, and information about delays and future closures.
  
  
• Where there is a detour, consider variable message signs to indicate the detour and to guide vehicles on the detour route. 
  
  
• Where there is congestion because of an incident, use portable message signs to divert traffic from the congested area.  
  
  
• Near resort areas or at rest stops, consider providing kiosks that give travelers information about the area, attractions, and traveler services available in the area.