Q: We recently were on I-20 east and got caught up in the traffic pacing that was occurring between Lee Street and Flat Shoals Road. What is the purpose of traffic pacing and what did it achieve?
—Adele Kehoe, Marietta
A: Traffic pacing is a procedure that is used when a short amount of time is needed to work on a roadway, Georgia Department of Transportation spokesman Mark D. McKinnon told Q&A on the News in an email. "Instead of wasting time placing barrels and cones in the road to close it for 10 minutes for a minor activity and then having to spend an equally long time frame removing them," crews will pace (or stop) traffic for a few minutes, complete the activity, and then let traffic flow again, he wrote. Pacing is usually used for minor utility work or to move heavy equipment. The pacing on I-20 was to allow Georgia Power to work on a power line.
Q: Recently when calling the Atlanta phone number to get the time and temperature, I noticed that the familiar voice of Fred Covington was no longer being used. Can you tell us about the changes and who is now providing this service?
—Leon E. Collins, Stone Mountain
A: A company called IVectory, co-owned by native Atlantan Don Wagner, took over the operation from WeatherChron, which was owned by Ellis and Helen Bryant, when Ellis Bryant died in late 2011, Wagner told Q&A on the News. Wagner continues to revamp the technology, which provides the time, temperature and wind speed on two numbers: 404-808-4040 (military time) or 770-455-7141 (time of day). Wagner said Covington died "many years ago." More information about IVectory can be found at www.dial411.info.
Andy Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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