Saturday, March 25, 2000
Comment sought on 211: Use for ARTIMIS or referral line?
Both agencies bid for number
BY MIKE BOYER
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Ohio utility regulators are seeking public comment on the use of the 211 service code by Greater Cincinnati's ARTIMIS traffic management center.
The reason is that the number, which ARTIMIS uses in its pilot program to provide traffic information, is also sought by the Ohio Council of Information and Referral Providers (OCIRP) for a statewide referral assistance information line.
The conflict mirrors a similar one on the national level that the Federal Communications Commission, which has jurisdiction over assigning service codes, has been asked to resolve.
The 211 code has been set aside for community access purposes in several states. In 1998, a coalition of information and referral providers asked the FCC to designate the code for universal access to community service information.
Last year, the U.S. Department of Transportation asked the FCC to assign one number, such as 211 or 511 for computerized traffic information, said Leon Walden, traffic engineering specialist with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.
The Kentucky transportation agency and the Ohio Department of Transportation jointly fund ARTIMIS, which stands for Advanced Regional Traffic Interactive Management and Information System.
ARTIMIS averages about 75,000 calls a month to 211.
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, which assigned 211 to ARTIMIS for its pilot project, is seeking comment on both uses of the service code until April 14.
“It is unfortunate that there are potential conflicts with the use of 211 in Ohio,” said PUCO Chairman Alan Schriber, a Wyoming resident.
“My personal experience with the Cincinnati traffic information line has been very positive one. However, if it's necessary to switch to another code for this information, we would like to see it done without a great deal of inconvenience.”
The OCIRP, in its petition before the PUCO, said both uses of the 211 code could co-exist for a while because it planned to phase in its service, which connects callers to health and human services such as substance abuse, health care, family counseling and elderly services.
Mr. Walden said it would be difficult to mix the two functions with the same number.
“Personally, I think what's needed is to pressure the FCC to make a decision,” he said.
He said it wouldn't be difficult for the traffic information service to switch to another number.
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