FAQ
WHY DID ONTARIO 511 CREATE AN APP?
We are offering a free 511 app that provides all travellers immediate access to the information they need to stay safe, fed and rested while travelling across the province. Ontario 511 is available now through Google Play and App Store.
The Ontario 511 app provides images from over 800 cameras and includes up-to-date highway information on weather, construction, collisions, road condition and road closures. It also identifies open rest areas and locations throughout the province that offer food and fuel. The app includes an easy to use map view and features a drive mode that provides hands free audio alerts.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE ONTARIO 511 APP AND THE INFORMATION FOUND ON YOUR WEBSITE?
Both the app and Ontario 511 website provide highway and traffic information to Ontario drivers. The Ontario 511 app will provide all drivers immediate access to the information they need to stay safe, fed and rested while travelling across the province. Drivers can easily access information on their mobile phones by downloading the app on the App Store or Google Play.
The app includes an easy to use map view and features a drive mode that provides hands free audio alerts.
What are the differences between cameras shown on ontario 511?
Ontario 511 publishes 3 different types of cameras, each with their own capabilities, and operational use.
Traffic Cameras:
Traffic cameras are operated by the Ministry’s Traffic Management Center, and are used to monitor accidents, events & closures on provincially owned highways. Traffic cameras are typically clustered together along a portion of the highway, and only publish 1 image to Ontario 511, approximately every 2-5 minutes. Traffic cameras do capture live video, and can be obtained following the FOI process below.
Example of a Traffic Camera:
Maintenance Cameras:
Maintenance cameras are deployed by the Highway Operations Management Branch, and are used to monitor and measure performance by Area Maintenance Contractors (AMC). Maintenance cameras are spaced out throughout the province of Ontario, and can upload up to 3 images from each camera, to Ontario 511, approximately every 10-20 minutes. Maintenance cameras do not store or capture live video, and images taken by these cameras can be obtained by following the FOI process below.
Example of a Maintenance Camera:
Road Weather Information System (RWIS) Camera
Road Weather Information System (RWIS) Cameras are deployed by the Highway Operations Management Branch, and are used to monitor road & weather conditions on provincially owned highways. RWIS cameras are located approximately every 80 KMs, with a large number of cameras in Northern Ontario, and can upload up to 3 images from each RWIS station to Ontario 511, approximately every 10-20 minutes. RWIS cameras do not store or capture live video, and images taken by these cameras can be obtained by following the FOI process below.
Example of an RWIS Camera:
HOW DO I GET A COPY OF IMAGES FROM AN MTO traffic CAMERA?
MTO’s Transportation Management Centre records a six-second segment from each traffic camera on an ongoing basis in a continuous loop. While we do record footage from the cameras in the COMPASS system, we seldom capture collisions. The video recordings are kept for approximately 15 days, so please submit your request as soon as possible.In order to obtain COMPASS camera footage, please submit a Freedom of Information (FOI) request through the online FOI request portal. The $5.00 application fee can be paid by credit card using this option. Follow the link below to submit:
https://www.sus.gov.on.ca/lc/content/mgcs/profiles/default.html?contentRoot=repository:///Applications/ON00089/1.0/Assets&template=ON00089E.xdp&submitUrl=https://localhost:12443/rest/services/ON00089/Processes/SubmitForm&lang=E&submitServiceProxy=https://www.sus.gov.on.ca/sub-proxy/all
Please include as much detail as possible to help locate your footage. Include details such as the highway where the incident happened, the date and time it occurred, the direction being travelled, the nearest highway exit or other landmark, and the description of vehicles involved.
Alternatively, you can submit your Freedom of Information (FOI) Request in writing, accompanied by a cheque or money order made payable to the Minister of Finance in the amount of $5.00, to the following address:
Ministry of Transportation
Information Management Services Office
FOI and Privacy Unit
777 Bay Street, 27th Floor, Unit 2702
Toronto, ON M7A 2J8
If you require further assistance, please contact the FOI office at MTOFOI@ontario.ca.
HOW DO I GET A COPY OF IMAGES FROM AN MTO Maintenance or rwis camera?
MTO’s Highway Operations Management Branch deploys more than 350 cameras across the province, to monitor weather and road conditions on provincially owned highways. These cameras have the ability to capture up to 3 different images of the highway, at each individual location. Cameras which are deployed by the Highway Operations Management Branch, DO NOT record live video, and only capture images of the highway, approximately every 10-20 minutes. Images provided by these cameras are kept for approximately 1-3 years, varying on the camera.In order to obtain Maintenance/RWIS camera images, please submit a Freedom of Information (FOI) request through the online FOI request portal. The $5.00 application fee can be paid by credit card using this option. Follow the link below to submit:
https://www.sus.gov.on.ca/lc/content/mgcs/profiles/default.html?contentRoot=repository:///Applications/ON00089/1.0/Assets&template=ON00089E.xdp&submitUrl=https://localhost:12443/rest/services/ON00089/Processes/SubmitForm&lang=E&submitServiceProxy=https://www.sus.gov.on.ca/sub-proxy/all
Please include as much detail as possible to help locate your image. Include details such as the highway where the incident happened, the date and time it occurred, the direction being travelled, the nearest highway exit or other landmark, and the description of vehicles involved.
Alternatively, you can submit your Freedom of Information (FOI) Request in writing, accompanied by a cheque or money order made payable to the Minister of Finance in the amount of $5.00, to the following address:
Ministry of Transportation
Information Management Services Office
FOI and Privacy Unit
777 Bay Street, 27th Floor, Unit 2702
Toronto, ON M7A 2J8
If you require further assistance, please contact the FOI office at MTOFOI@ontario.ca.
WHERE DOES THE INFORMATION ON ONTARIO 511 COME FROM?
- Reported road conditions are collected and reported by Area Maintenance Contractors who patrol the highways on behalf of the province.
- Forecasted driving conditions are compiled by the ministry's weather vendor and are based on atmospheric and pavement conditions.
- Highway closures and incidents are determined and reported by the OPP and MTO.
- Roadwork, which includes maintenance and construction, is collected and reported by Ministry of Transportation staff.
- Cameras are provided by a number of sources.
- Traffic speeds are provided by a third party.
- Ferry information from MTO, as well as private and public agencies.
- Transit hubs come from GO Transit and the TTC.
- Carpool lot information is provided by MTO.
- Service centre information is provided by MTO.
- Travel information centres come from the Ministry of Tourism
- HOV/HOT lanes provided by MTO.
IS THERE A COST FOR USING THE ONTARIO 511 TELEPHONE SERVICE?
The use of the Ontario 511 telephone service is free. When accessing 511 using a mobile device, normal airtime and roaming charges may apply, according to your wireless service contracts.
CAN I USE 511 WHILE DRIVING?
Ontario law prohibits the use of handheld devices while driving. Safety is the Ministry of Transportation's number one priority.
HOW DOES ONTARIO 511 MEET ACCESSIBILITY STANDARDS?
The website provides visual aids and text versions that meet accessibility standards. In addition regular testing and assessments are conducted with approved tools and technology to ensure continual compliance with Ontario accessibility standards.
HOW DO I CALL ONTARIO 511 IF I AM TRAVELLING IN ANOTHER PROVINCE OR STATE?
To call Ontario 511 toll free while driving outside Ontario, dial 1-866-929-4257.
HOW DO I MODIFY ROUTE TO AVOID CLOSURE?
Click on the route segment near the closure and drag the waypoint away from the closure. More than one waypoint may be needed to avoid the closure.