On 10/1, CDOT began launching a brand new COtrip mobile app, as well as an improved, easy-to-use version of its popular trip-planning and traffic/construction impacts website, COtrip.org. While Colorado travelers have been using COtrip.org for nearly two decades, the updated website version will now offer features that will help travelers plan their route ahead of time, and be prepared for road or lane closures or adverse road conditions.
“This is an exciting time for our agency,” said Bob Fifer, CDOT’s branch manager of the Intelligent Transportation Systems & Network Services. “We are evolving legacy systems to better serve the traveling public. The new website brings more of our transportation technologies into one lens, improving the customer experience. We added several new features, while reducing system maintenance costs. Now, travelers can customize routes from point A to point B to see if their trip may be impacted by any road or lane closures. Motorists will have an easier time identifying road closures, road conditions and construction impacts, all while replacing outdated technologies.”
New website features include the following:
The COtrip website is powered by a dynamic Google Map™. Motorists can use the map as they would any Google map and click on the icons for more information. Icons are displayed on the map by checking or unchecking the boxes in the layers toolbar.
The new Trucker Mode features resources specific to commercial motor vehicle operators.
My COtrip & Travel Alerts
Motorists canlog-in in or sign up here for their own COtrip account to subscribe and manage their travel alerts. They can also save their favorite routes and cameras, and customize their travel preferences.
COtrip on Social Media
COtrip traveler information is automatically posted to the @ColoradoDOT Twitter feed. New roadway hashtags and Twitter threads were rolled out in Spring 2021, making it easier for users to track and stay updated on closures and incidents from CDOT. Follow @ColoradoDOT on Twitter for real-time travel information and road conditions.
The 511 telephone service is an interactive, voice-activated traffic information system motorists can access by calling 511 (within Colorado) or 1-800-288-1047 (nationwide). This system has not changed, and will continue to provide a real-time option for travelers to get road conditions and traffic information.
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In addition to the website, the new COtrip app will for the first time, provide statewide, real-time traffic info to Coloradans’ smartphones and tablets. The app will be fully implemented in three phases:
Phase 1: Oct. 1
- -Traveler app with hands-free, eyes free functionality with customized CDOT layers now available
Phase 2: Fall 2021
- -Winter-specific layers including weather warnings, weather stations, plow tracker with CDOT snowplow contest names, and Express Lanes
Phase 3: Winter 2021/2022
- -My COtrip accounts integrated and new map search functionality, including event and camera clustering, predefined routes/areas, and adding an electronic sign layer
- -Social sharing of cameras and road conditions will also be available
Future Phases
- -Turn-by-turn directions and recommended routes to user mapping app (Google Maps, Apple Maps, Waze)
- -Alert banners and push notifications
- -Rockfall and wildlife reporting
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The COtrip app will also include a feature called TellMe, which enables app users to be hands-free on their route. TellMe will detect users’ current location, speed, and direction of travel to announce upcoming road conditions and traffic incidents as they travel along their route.
“We want Coloradans and visitors to our great state to have all of the information they need to plan a safe trip, no matter where they go on our state highways and interstates,” said Fifer. “We hope all drivers will take advantage of the website and mobile app before getting into their vehicles for a safe and more convenient trip as both tools will help to eliminate any ‘surprises’ on the roadway.”