5-1-1 Static Sign

Signs along Arizona roadways that remind travelers they may call 5-1-1 and obtain up-to-date traveler information.

Despite the rural location of these signs, callers should have cell coverage in areas where signs are posted, such as this one along I-8.

Alert Vehicle

Specially equipped vehicles respond to incidents throughout the Phoenix Metro area, providing on-site command and control, portable DMS (see below) capability, and more.

Call Box

Placed along rural roadways, where cellular telephone coverage is unavailable, for stranded motorists to contact DPS.

This particular box is located on US-93 at the Santa Maria River bridge.

Closed Circuit Television (CCTV)

Located high above roadway to provide view of traffic incidents. Most CCTVs can pan, tilt, and zoom (PTZ) from any workstation at the TOC. The CCTV shown, like most, is installed with a lightning protection rod.

Controller Cabinet

Controllers sit along the roadway and send information from such items as PADS, Loops, Ramp Meters to the TOC. These cabinets are not air conditioned, all equipment is "field hardened" to withstand Arizona summers.

Dynamic Message Sign (DMS), Large.

Large signs over/near roadways used to display messages to public.
Larger DMS (as shown) have three rows of 18 characters, with each character measuring 18" tall.

Emergency Response Unit.

Located throughout Arizona, these vehicles are used to assist in a variety of road incidents.

Freeway Service Patrol

More than a half-dozen vehicles assist motorists in the Phoenix Metro area 18 hours a day, 7 days a week; this service is operated by DPS.

Highway Advisory Radio (HAR)

Used to give special announcements within a short distance of the transmitter. Often used in Arizona for rural road construction. Travelers will be advised to tune radio to a particular channel.

Loops

Detectors embedded in roadway to detect vehicle movement. These devices permit us to determine vehicle speed and density. This information feeds our Speed Maps (color maps depicting flow of traffic). See also PADS.

Node Building

Collects regional information (e.g., from various Controller Cabinets) and sends to TOC. These facilities have fault tolerant air conditioning systems to maintain moderate summer temperatures.

Passive Acoustic Device (PAD)

PADs are small devices that sit near the top of utility poles--barely visible to drivers below--that can detect vehicle movement. These devices permit us to determine vehicle speed and density. This information feeds our Speed Maps (color maps depicting flow of traffic). See also Loops.

Pull Boxes

Various size boxes along the roadway in which lines (e.g., fiber, power) are pulled and spliced as they make their way to various components. The pull box shown here is a Number 9.

Ramp Meter (RM)

Designed to maximize balance of freeway traffic flow with oncoming traffic. Ramp Meters are used on most on ramps where volumes are high.

Road Weather Information System (RWIS)

Collection of meteorological apparatuses that provide information on nearby roadway. RWIS installations often have CCTV cameras pointing in both directions of the roadway.

Traffic Operations Center (TOC)

The hub of the Transportation Technology Group's operation, the TOC monitors statewide activities on all freeways and works, among other things, to inform motorists of incidents.

High resolution version of this photo available in Documents

Truck Escape Ramp (automated)

Sensors detect a truck entering the ramp, turn on the "in use" sign, and send notifications (with photos) to DPS and ADOT personnel.

Video Switch

A 256-port Video Switch permits view and control of over 125 CCTV cameras in the Metro Phoenix area.