Last week Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell announced that 4,091 people have signed up for the Department of Transportation's statewide electronic rail and highway traffic incident notification system in just its first three months of operation.

"Improving our transportation system is my top priority, and I will continue to press for positive change whenever and wherever possible," Governor Rell said. "The feedback from commuters about our e-alert system has been overwhelmingly positive. The system has been working well and the information it provides is very useful."

Since the system was launched March 8, 3,291 people have registered for traffic information for the Fairfield County area. For the Hartford area, 2,742 have registered and 2,743 have enrolled for information on traffic and train service in southeast Connecticut. Subscribers may register to receive information for one or more geographical areas of Connecticut.

The service is available -- at no cost -- 24 hours a day, seven days a week to subscribers with access to electronic mail. Notice of significant highway incidents expected to last at least an hour are e-mailed to subscribers. Incident updates and notification when an incident has been cleared are also provided.

"One of the most important aspects of managing congestion relates to identifying an incident, clearing the roadway, and restoring traffic flow," DOT Commissioner Stephen E. Korta II said. "When people know to stay away from a trouble spot, the delays are shorter."
KW