Frequently asked questions
- What is the Dorset Voyager service?
- Do I need to register for the service?
- How much does the Dorset Voyager text service cost?
- What data sources do we use to provide you with travel information?
- What is an information sign?
- How often is the traffic information updated?
- Why is congestion information only available for selected roads?
- Why is live car park information only available for selected car parks?
- Can I view the information in tabular form rather than on the map?
- Can I access the site on my phone or PDA?
Q. What is
the Dorset Voyager service?
Dorset Voyager has been designed to provide travel
information to both car and public transport users about possible
delays along your journey. Providing real time or schedule
information about departures for bus and train journeys. Dorset
Voyager can email and text you when there are incidents,
congestion, roadworks and other traffic information on your
route.
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Q. Do I need to
register for the service?
No, however registering allows you to create personalised
alerts that may affect your journey by SMS or email.
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Q. How
much does the Dorset Voyager text service
cost?
Each text costs a maximum of 25p per text plus your standard
network rate. Remember to disable your SMS alerts while on holiday,
as overseas texts are considerably more expensive.
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Q.
What data sources do we use to provide you with travel
information?
Data is obtained from a range of sources, including:
The Journey Time Monitoring System: established and maintained by
Dorset County Council. Journey times are calculated by placing
cameras at either end of a road link. The time it takes for a
vehicle to travel between the two points is recorded and then
compared with historical norms to calculate an overall journey
time. This information is used in a variety of ways. Journey times
can be displayed on our website, on roadside traffic information
signs and on partners' websites.
Roadwork's database: maintained by Dorset County Council, this
incorporates information supplied by Dorset Highways, contractors
and utility companies regarding planned and emergency
roadwork's.
Traffic Signals database, signal configuration and monitoring
system: maintained by Dorset County Council.
Map data: maintained by Dorset County Council's GIS team.
Car park counters: located at the entrances and exits of some Car
Parks to give live occupancy information, maintained by Dorset
County Council
NaPTAN database: the local component of the National Public
Transport Access
Nodes (NaPTAN) database, identifying the location of bus stops and
rail station entrances across Dorset, is maintained by Dorset
County Council. Regular data updates are submitted by the Council
to the main national database. For more information about NaPTAN,
please visit www.naptan.org.uk/overview.htm
Highways Agency National Traffic Control Centre: we share network
status information with the Highways Agency, which is responsible
for motorways and
trunk roads in Dorset. Sensors mounted alongside and under these
roads collect data, which is sent via the Travel Information
Highways to Dorset's travel information database.
CCTV: local traffic monitoring CCTV provides live images at
selected major junctions throughout Dorset.
Neighbouring authorities' travel information databases: we share
transport network information with neighbouring authorities,
including Poole and Bournemouth.
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Q. What is an information
sign?
Information signs, also known as electronic variable message
signs (VMS) are signs located at strategic points throughout the
road network that display traffic information/messages to alert
drivers to incidents on the network, their likely impacts and
appropriate action to take. The messages are updated as appropriate
and removed once the traffic disruption has ended. Signs will only
be displayed on the website when a message is being displayed on
street.
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Q. How often
is the traffic information updated?
Most updates will be published to the website every five
minutes. Real-time bus information is updated every 30
seconds.
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Q.
Why is congestion information only available for selected
roads?
Traffic monitoring equipment required to generate congestion
data is only installed on specific sections of the road
network.
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Q.
Why is live car park information only available for selected
car parks?
Vehicle counting equipment is only installed in a limited
number of car parks around the county.
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Q.
Can I view the information in tabular form rather than on the
map?
Tabular views of all information are available by selecting
the appropriate link from the landing page.
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Q. Can I access
the site on my phone or PDA?
Currently the website is accessible in most mobile phones,
work is continuing to improve this service.
Q. How can I
Calculate my car CO2 emissions?
You can use our carbon calculator.
