“Frequently Asked Questions”
About the Freeway Travel Time Pilot Project

Why is ADOT displaying travel times on message boards?
ADOT wants to provide the traveling public with accurate, up-to-date information about roadway conditions. ADOT has been developing travel times from its Freeway Management System and has included this information on the 5-1-1 phone service and www.az511.gov. This program was launched to provide travelers with current estimated travel times during their commute and allow them to alter their route if they see a significant delay ahead.

 

How does ADOT estimate freeway travel times?
As part of the Freeway Management System, ADOT has deployed several hundred sensors on freeway corridors that send information back to ADOT’s Traffic Operations Center. This data includes speed, traffic flow and the number of cars in each lane. ADOT uses the actual traffic conditions information to generate a travel time estimate for a specific segment of freeway. This information is then automatically displayed on the overhead message boards for that segment of freeway.

 

I don’t see travel times displayed on all overhead message boards. Why are the travel time messages only displayed on some of them?
This is the first time ADOT has provided travel time messages to commuters using these signs. A limited number of freeway corridors were selected for this pilot project. The intent was to select freeway corridors in all parts of the Valley for this initial roll-out, as well as to select overhead message signs that would reach the largest number of commuters. Travel times can only be calculated where ADOT has installed sensors, so that is why I-17, I-10, State Route 51, US 60 and some portions of Loop 202 are part of the travel time pilot program. ADOT does not yet have sensors on Loop 101 or newer portions of Loop 202. To see freeways where ADOT has sensors to detect real-time conditions, go to www.az511.gov and select Roadway Conditions.

 

Will travel times be shown on the message boards all the time?
No. Travel time messages are displayed on weekdays during the morning (6 a.m. - 9 a.m.) and evening commute periods (3 p.m. - 7 p.m.). If there is an incident, closure, construction restriction, AMBER alert, event traffic information or emergency message, that information will have higher priority than the travel time messages.

 

How often are the travel time messages updated?
ADOT’s system that calculates travel times from the freeway sensors will update the travel time information on the message boards approximately every minute.

Which overhead message signs will have travel times?
There are six signs that display travel times in the morning and six that display this information during the afternoon/evening commute. Freeways and approximate locations of the signs are shown below:
 
Morning Peak Commute Period (6 a.m. – 9 a.m.)

• Eastbound Interstate 10 at 67th Avenue (West Phoenix)
• Westbound Interstate 10 at Guadalupe Road (Approaching Broadway Curve)
• Westbound Loop 202 (Red Mountain Freeway) at McClintock Drive
• Westbound US 60 (Superstition Freeway) at Extension Road
• Southbound Interstate 17 at Northern Avenue
• Southbound State Route 51 at Northern Avenue

Afternoon Peak Commute Period (3 p.m. – 7 p.m.)

• Westbound Interstate 10 at 7th Avenue (near Deck Park Tunnel)
• Eastbound Interstate 10 at 10th Street (near Deck Park Tunnel)
• Eastbound Loop 202 (Red Mountain Freeway) at 24th Street
• Southbound Interstate 17 at Central Avenue (After Durango Curve)
• Northbound Interstate 17 at 4th Avenue (Approaching Durango Curve)
• Northbound State Route 51 at Osborn Road

 

I noticed that cars tend to slow down near the signs. Is this typical?
Some drivers may slow down approaching the overhead signs because this is new information that ADOT is providing. As more drivers grow accustomed to seeing the travel time messages on their route, there is expected to be less of an impact on freeway speeds. Remember, always be an attentive driver.

 

When will ADOT put travel times on more overhead message signs?
ADOT will be evaluating the travel time program over the next several months. Based on feedback and available funding, ADOT will then make a determination about expanding travel times to additional signs. A key factor for expanding the travel times to other corridors is the availability of the real-time freeway sensor data.

 

Why is this just a test program – what are you looking for?
The test project will operate for one year. During this time, ADOT will be fully evaluating the travel time project to look at the effects to safety, congestion and usefulness of the information. We’ll also look at drivers’ opinions of the program. You can help us with this evaluation by answering a few questions about the travel times pilot project online.

 

Do the travel times include the carpool lanes?
Lanes designated for High Occupancy Vehicles (HOV) are not included in the travel time estimates. HOV lanes are designed to help reduce congestion by encouraging carpooling. It is likely that authorized users of HOV lanes will experience travel times less than indicated on the message board.