Support

The Support Section covers all Information Technology, Telecommunications, and Traffic Analysis for the Transportation Technology Group.

Information Technology & Telecommunications

The Information Technology (IT) section is responsible for maintaining all computer and telecommunications equipment under control of the Transportation Technology Group.

With less than a dozen IT professionals, the IT Section performs IT Management, Windows-based Administration (~100 systems), Unix-based Administration (~125 systems), Non-Windows-based Network Administration, Programming, Systems Engineering, Configuration Management, GIS Development, Telecommunications Support, Traveler-based Website maintenance, operation of Arizona’s 511 Traveler Information Telephone System, in addition to staffing two 24/7 support teams.

The section stays on the leading edge of technology, working with systems/items such as a 350-port Video Switch, Statewide 511 Voice Response Activated (telephone) System (VRAS), our own Website with real-time GIS-based incident mapping, Statewide Departmental Radio Communications, multi-recipient Paging System (for administrative notices of key incidents as well as maintenance response initiation), Dynamic Message Sign (DMS) server control, Traffic Signal server control, and the Department’s Emergency Operations Center.  All of this is housed in an online (zero-millisecond lag time) UPS and generator-protected facility and makes for a high-paced, fun place to work.

Traffic Analysis

Traffic Analysis is divided into two types, recurring and non-recurring.

Recurring traffic issues such as congestion can occur every morning and every afternoon while motorists are commuting to and from home and work.  Ramp meters are one tool that staff utilizes to reduce the amount of recurring congestion.  Ramp meters are installed on a series of interchanges to control the amount of traffic entering the freeway.  In general, the timing for ramp meters is related to the amount of traffic on the freeway; the green and red lights will have variable times depending on the volume of traffic on the freeway--ideally, the green lights will be timed so motorists can easily merge onto the freeway.  A complex process of corridor evaluations are involved in determining the location and timing pattern of the ramp meters.  The use of ramp meters improves the flow of traffic and improves traffic safety.

Non-recurring congestion is caused by a wide variety of events. Staff participates in the planning for funerals, football games, basketball games, baseball games, automobile races, mass evacuations, bicycle tours, construction activities, maintenance activities, etc.  Staff prepares a weekly report on activities that will severely restrict traffic on highways and freeways.  In addition, staff prepares a monthly report on all major incidents (e.g., highway and freeway closures, fatal crashes, large fires, etc.).  Furthermore, staff participates in meetings to improve homeland (transportation) security.