Over the past year we've announced that motorists along the interstates between Tucson and Flagstaff have been able to gauge how long their trips would take thanks to travel times displayed on ADOT's overhead digital message boards.

But what if you don't travel to Flagstaff or Tucson? What if, instead, you are heading up State Route 87 to get to Payson and onto Show Low? Or if you work in Lake Havasu City but live in Parker? 

Well, we have some good news. Now if you pass a digital message sign somehwere in the state, chances are it's going to show you how long it will take to get to where you are going. For example, a board at Heber will tell you it's a 50-minute drive to Holbrook, another on US 60 at Wickenburg will say it's 126 minutes to Kingman, while the board on SR 95 in Whetstone will let you know it's a 60-minute drive to Tucson. Of course, if you prefer taking an interstate, you'll also find travel times on the boards along I-8, I-15 and I-40. 

This is the lastest expansion phase for highway travel times. Phoenix-area drivers first starting seeing them in 2008, and they eventually were across all Valley freeways by 2014. For the past five years, travel times have been displayed on select message boards along I-10 and I-19 in the Tucson area. In 2018, ADOT started posting travel times along I-17, something we expanded to I-10 between Phoenix and Tucson last year.

Real-time data for the traffic times come from INRIX, a mobility analytics company that helps transportation agencies monitor, measure and manage traffic information. This is different from how travel times are estimated in the Valley, using ADOT’s in-pavement traffic-flow sensors. ADOT designed a software application to automatically process INXRIX’s data for use on the rest of the state highway system.

But ADOT doesn't display travel times just because its nifty informaiton to have. These travel times, in conjunction with the message board's warnings about crashes or closures ahead, can help motorists make informed decisions about the route they want to take. Also, since you can check our message boards on the AZ 511 Arizona Traveler Information site, you can even make those decisions before heading out on the road. 

So whether you are heading from Globe to Superior, Quartzsite to Wickenburg, or Yuma to Gila Bend, keep an eye out for this latest batch of helpful information. 

Did you know that Arizona had 4.54 million visitors in 2018? Or that the state's attractions brought in $24.4 billion in travel revenue in for fiscal 2018?

Impressive, right? But what, we hear you asking, does that have to do with transportation? 

Glad you asked. Because if you look at the 15 top travel destinations for the state, they, with a couple exceptions, have something in common: a handy state highway nearby.

It's true. You can find the visitor numbers reported to the Arizona Office of Tourism for natural and man-made attractions, respectively, here and here.

Take the (unsurprisingly) top tourist attraction in the state: Grand Canyon National Park. Its 6.38 million of its visitors can easily get there from State Route 64. Or State Route 67 if they felt like taking in the view from the North Rim. There's even the ADOT-operated Grand Canyon National Park Airport in Tusayan.

Next down on the list is the London Bridge in Lake Havasu City, which had 3.76 million visitors who wanted to capture the spirit of Old London Town. It's less than a thousand feet from State Route 95.

And how could 3.64 million people expect to play in Lake Powell and the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area if it weren't for US 89?

The Phoenix Zoo, State Farm Stadium, Westworld of Scottsdale, Gila River Arena and the Desert Botanical Garden in the Valley all make the list, falling at numbers 4, 6, 9, 10 and 14, respectively, ranging between 1.4 million and 500,000 visitors in 2018. And each is a short hop from the Loop 202 or Loop 101 freeways. Lake Pleasant Regional Park, with 662,000 visitors, came it at No. 11 and is accessed from State Route 74. 

The list can go on and on: No. 8 Saguaro National Park and Interstate 10; No. 12 Petrified Forest National Park and Interstate 40 or US 180; and No. 15 Bearizona and Interstate 40. 

Next time you gear up for the next big family trip or a local staycation, a state highway is likely nearby to help you get there.

 

Summer travel is all about having fun and exploring, but it pays to keep safety in mind when you hit the road. Here are some tips to make summer trips more enjoyable:

BEFORE YOU LEAVE

• Check the condition of tires, brakes, lights and turn signals. Replace tires that are worn or have cracks or bubbles. Maintain the proper tire pressure and check fluid levels.
• Carry an emergency kit including bandages, antibacterial soap/wipes, antibiotic cream, flashlight, fresh batteries and any necessary medications.
• Get your rest before driving. Drowsy driving is hazardous.
• Check roadway and weather conditions by calling 511 or visiting az511.gov.
• Carry a fully charged cellphone and charger.

WHEN DRIVING

• Make sure everyone in the front and back seats is properly restrained and that small children are in the appropriate car seats or booster seats. No exceptions.
• Avoid speeding and reduce speed when roadway or weather conditions warrant.
• Don't text or talk on handheld devices. Give the phone to a passenger or turn it off. If you must use a phone for a call, use a headset or speaker. To text, pull over and park in a safe place.
• Avoid alcohol and anything else, including legal and illegal drugs, that can impair your driving. 
• Be considerate of other motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists.  Avoid any kind of racing or aggressive driving. 
• Be mentally prepared to face unexpected conditions and challenges, such as blowing dust and monsoon storms. Stay calm, slow down or pull off the road and seek assistance if needed. Visit pullasidestayalive.org for tips on dust storm safety.

Enjoy your summer trips. Just keep in mind that it's better to be safe than sorry.

By John Halikowski / ADOT Director

In collaboration with the Federal Highway Administration, ADOT is participating in the National Household Travel Survey. This survey, conducted by the U.S. Department of Transportation, is a year-long effort to assess the travel patterns of randomly selected households throughout the country. By law, all information is kept confidential.

For ADOT, this national travel survey serves as an important planning tool. The survey results help ADOT plan for the future by knowing which roads folks travel on a daily basis, length of travel and where travel occurs in the state.

While only 30,000 households in Arizona will be contacted to participate, ADOT wants as much input as possible. We created a self-reporting survey that is short and simple. The information will enhance our efforts in designing and improving our state’s transportation system. Your input is important.

 

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This post originally appeared on ADOT Director John Halikowski's
LinkedIn page. He has led the agency since 2009.