511 Information

"MY REPORTS" ALERTS

Users with a "My Reports" account can now sign up to receive text messages and/or emails alerting them to incidents and delays along routes they select and save.

For current "My Reports" subscribers

1. Go to www.511ia.org and click on the “Full-feature” version of the website.
2. Log into your My Reports account by selecting the “Sign In” link that appears in the top right-hand corner of the page.
3. Select the “Show List Views” button (if you are not already in "List Views") (see Figure 1)..
   
   Figure 1
   
   
4. Click on the blue-colored "Want to get alerts for your route?" banner.
   
   Figure 2
   
   
5. A box with your account information will appear (see Figure 3).


Figure 3



6. • Check “yes” to add the ability to receive text and/or email alerts.
   • If you check "Yes", enter your cell phone number and service carrier.
   • After entering your cell phone number and service carrier, the "Verify Now" option will appear in the account window (see Figure 4).
   
   Figure 4
   
   
   • As shown in Figure 4:
   • To verify your cell phone number and start receiving alerts, click the blue "Verify Now" text. A text message with a four-digit code will be sent to your cell phone. Enter the four-digit code as directed in the verification box. As soon as your phone number is verified, you are all set to start receiving alerts.
   • Check the type of reports you want to receive: critical, urgent, routine or all.
   • You must accept the Terms of Use to start receiving alerts.
   • Save your account updates (see Figure 5).

Figure 5


7. Now appearing next to your route listing is a gray-colored bell (see Figure 6).
   Figure 6
   
   
8. To select the days of the week and times of the day when you’d like to receive alerts, click on the bell to the left of the route name.  You can also select if you want to receive alerts for that route via email and/or text message. Save your selections (see Figure 7).

Figure 7

The next time you visit the 511 website, start by logging into your "My Reports" account by selecting the “Sign In” link at the top right-hand corner of the page (see Figure 8). Then click the "View Your Reports" link in the same box.

For new subscribers to "My Reports"

1. Go to www.511ia.org and click on the “Full-feature” version of the website.
2. Sign up for a free My Reports account: select the “Start here” link located in the top right-hand corner of the screen (see Figure 8) and complete the free account setup.
   Figure 8
3. After completing the sign-up form, you will be sent an email notice. To activate your account, you must click on the link provided in the email. This will automatically direct you back to the 511 website where you can get started.
4. Select the “Show List Views” button.  (if you are not already in "List Views")

Figure 9
5. Create a new route. This may be your daily commute or a route you plan to use for an upcoming trip. These are directional (see Figure 11) Note: A "work to home" route could give you different traffic events than a "home to work" route.
6. • Easiest option:
   • In the "A" field (see Figure 10), enter your start city or address in Iowa.
   • In the "B" field (see Figure 10) enter your end city or address in Iowa.
   • Click on "View Current Reports."
   • A line on the map will automatically be generated marking your route (see Figure 11).
     
     
     Figure 10
     
     
   • Advanced option: If you are familiar with Google Maps™, you may prefer to mark your own route.
   • Move your mouse over the map to your desired starting location and then right click.
   • A "Start route here" or "End route here" message box will appear.
   • Select "Start route here" and a green balloon will appear marked with the letter "A." 
   • Move your mouse to the end of your route and then right click. Select "End route here."
   • A red balloon with the letter “B” will appear and your route will be automatically traced on your route (see Figure 11).
   
   Figure 11
   
   
7. To save this route for future use, select “Save this Route” link (see Figure 11) and then the “Save” button (see Figure 12). A listing for your selected route will appear on the screen.  Later, you can add another route, or edit or delete saved routes.
   
   
   Figure 12
   
   
8. Click on the blue-colored "Want to get alerts for your route?" banner.
   
   Figure 13
   
   
9. A box with your account information will appear (see Figure 14).
   
   Figure 14
   
   
10. •  Check “yes” to add the ability to receive text and/or email alerts.
    • If you check "Yes", enter your cell phone number and service carrier.
    • After entering your cell phone number and service carrier, the "Verify Now" option will appear in the account window (see Figure 15).
      
      
      Figure 15
      
      
    • As shown in Figure 15:
    • To verify your cell phone number and start receiving alerts, click the blue "Verify Now" text. A text message with a four-digit code will be sent to your cell phone.Enter the four-digit code as directed in the verification box. As soon as your phone number is verified, you are all set to start receiving alerts.
    • Check the type of reports you want to receive: critical, urgent, routine or all.
    • You must accept the Terms of Use to start receiving alerts.
    • Save your account updates (see Figure 16).
    
    Figure 16
    
    
11. Now appearing next to your route listing is a gray-colored bell (see Figure 17).
    
    
    Figure 17
    
    
12. To select the days of the week and times of the day when you’d like to receive alerts, click on the bell to the left of the route name.  You can also select if you want to receive alerts for that route via email and/or text message. Save your selections (see Figure 18).
    
    
    Figure 18
    
    

The next time you visit the 511 website, start by logging into your "My Reports" account by selecting the “Sign In” link at the top right-hand corner of the page (see Figure 8). Then click the "View Your Reports" link in the same box.