Travelers throughout the state relied on the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s 511 traveler information system’s mobile app to the tune of nearly 1.2 million views in the first year.

The free mobile app, launched in July 2013, gives up-to-date information on weather-related road conditions, maintenance and construction projects and crashes. Travelers can also use the www.511mn.org website or call 511 to access the information.

“We’re pleased the mobile app is getting so much use. We were the first state in a 12-state consortium to launch it and we think it’s going to continue to grow,” said Kelly Braunig, 511coordinator.

She said 118,000 people used the app in its first year to help them plan their routes.

“Whether it is snowing or flooding, people want to know if any closures or bad roads will affect their travels,” she said.

Usage correlates with weather events and construction projects. Braunig said the peak usage day was Feb. 21, when 34,000 people used the app. Up to 17 inches of snow fell in some parts of the state that day. On average, more than 2,000 people use the app each day.

The app can be downloaded for free from Google Play or the iTunes app store.

A Web page for truckers launched at the same time as the mobile app. Truckers can find information such as weight and width restrictions, and where roundabouts, weigh stations and construction projects are located. Braunig said there were 169,000 hits in the first year. The peak day was also Feb. 21, with 19,000 hits.

“The Web page is an important resource for truckers. If they get caught in a detour, they’ll lose time delivering their cargo,” she said. The Web site is at www.511mn.org.

Braunig said future enhancements are planned to the 511 system that will continue to make it a valuable resource for drivers.