Below is a formula to help information radio station operators determine what content is appropriate to broadcast on their ALERT AM, Information Station, RadioSTAT or VoiceStar stations. The FCC has designated all these stations to be forms of Travelers' Information Stations. (For more detail regarding TIS parameters, please see the "TIS Background" section at the bottom of this page.)

When planning broadcasts, it helps to remember the acronym TIDE; because, according to the FCC, broadcast content is permitted to relate to Travel, Imminent Danger or Emergencies. Following are examples of each with FCC references. The FCC qualifies all examples below by stating that local public safety officials are charged with determining what content on their stations describes situations of imminent danger.

We often refer to the Travelers' Information Stations in general terms as “information radio stations.” For specifically outfitted stations used in emergency applications, we use the phrase “emergency advisory radio.” For traffic applications and station setups, we apply the term “highway advisory radio." All these information radio stations are formally considered to be Travelers' Information Stations by the FCC.

To qualify as a TIS under the FCC Part 90.242 Rules umbrella, stations must operate at no more than 10 watts on the AM-band frequencies 530-1700 kHz. Signal coverage is limited to 2.0 mV/m at 1.5 km, which typically yields a signal radius of 3-5 miles. Motorists are notified to tune to the stations via road signs, which may incorporate flashing beacons. See also the FCC TIS Compliance Guide, published in 2014.

Federal agencies and state/local governments may license the stations through the NTIA and FCC, respectively. (NTIA is an acronym for National Telecommunications & Information Administration.) Some of those entities acquire funding for station purchases through grants and/or partnerships with constituencies.

(*) FCC Rules § 90.242 (a)(7)
"Travelers' Information Stations shall transmit only noncommercial voice information pertaining to traffic and road conditions, traffic hazard and travel advisories, directions, availability of lodging, rest stops and service stations, and descriptions of local points of interest. It is not permissible to identify the commercial name of any business establishment whose service may be available within or outside the coverage area of a Travelers' Information Station. However, to facilitate announcements concerning departures/arrivals and parking areas at air, train, and bus terminals, the trade name identification of carriers is permitted. Travelers' Information Stations may also transmit information in accordance with the provisions of §§90.405 and 90.407...."

(**) FCC Rules § 90.405(a)(1)
"Stations licensed under this part may transmit...any communication related directly to the imminent safety of life or property."

(***) FCC Rules § 90.407
"The licensee of any station authorized under this part may, during a period of emergency in which the normal communication facilities are disrupted as a result of hurricane, flood, earthquake or similar disaster, utilize such station for emergency communications in a manner other than that specified in the station authorization or in the rules and regulations governing the operation of such stations. The Commission may at any time order the discontinuance of such special use of the authorized facilities."

(****) FCC Report & Order (13-98)

(++) FCC Rule § 90.425 (a)
"...each station or system shall be identified by the transmission of the assigned call sign during each transmission or exchange of transmissions, or once each 15 minutes (30 minutes in the Public Safety Pool) during periods of continuous operation...."