Hey, ADOT Kids! Do you want to learn more about how roads are built?

There’s a lot that goes into constructing roads, like our highways in Arizona. And we’re here to give you the details, plus this activity sheet of heavy equipment vehicles. Use this sheet to follow along as we explore the construction vehicles and equipment that builds Arizona’s highways.

First, before a road is built, engineers choose a route or path for the road. They must study how this road will affect buildings, homes, traffic, plants and animals in the area. 

Once the road location has been chosen, the building begins! These are some of the heavy equipment vehicles used to construct roads:

• Excavators are used for digging a lot of dirt quickly, but can also be used to lift heavy stuff and place pipes.
• Dump trucks deliver gravel and crushed stone, which is called aggregate. 
• Bulldozers move the aggregate around to make a flat surface. 
• A grader machine can be used to give the right slope to the road. 
• The roller is one of the last construction vehicles to do its job. It presses down on the road surface and makes it strong enough for cars to drive on. 

Once the road is cooled and compacted by a roller, it’s time to paint the lane stripes using a machine called a striper, and install reflectors, roadway signs and sometimes guardrails. 

Next time you drive past a road-construction site, see what kinds of equipment you can identify. Learn about engineering, safety and more, just for kids, at azdot.gov/ADOTKids.

Engineering is the creative use of science and math to design or make things to solve a problem. Engineers, like the ones we have at ADOT, design, build and test things. Do you want to give this fun build-and-test activity a try —  like an engineer? To take the candy-toothpick building challenge, start with the following items.

Supplies Needed

• Gummy bears or gum drops (or a similar candy from your trick-or-treat bucket!)
•  At least 36 toothpicks
• 1 hardcover book
• Optional: paper plate as a working surface

 ⋙ ​​​​Download instructions and photos

Steps

1. Start by building a cube shape by connecting the toothpicks to the gummy bears. Build a second cube shape just like it.
2. Once your cubes are made, test your structure by placing the book on top. Did it collapse? It seems like a cube is not a strong enough structure to hold the book.
3. Try building another shape — a pyramid.
4. Build three pyramids out of the toothpicks and gummy bears.
5. Try spreading them out and placing the book on top.
6. Continue to adjust your structures as needed until they can support the book.
7. Did your revised design work? (Warning: Be careful not to poke yourself with the toothpicks.)

How It Works
Some shapes have more strength than others. Triangles give more support than squares when building structures. Triangles are used a lot in the construction of things like bridges. Just like an engineer, you can test many different solutions and each time you redesign it, the solution can get better.

Source: generationgenius.com

What’s so important about being physically active? Well, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, physical inactivity is a major contributor to health problems like obesity, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and other bad health conditions in the United States. ADOT Kids encourages safe and active transportation for kids across the state.

What is active transportation? Active transportation is a physical activity that is any self-propelled, human-powered mode of transportation, such as walking, bicycling, riding a scooter or a skateboard. 

You can read more about bike safety in this ADOT Blog, but we want to talk about being safe while walking near, or crossing, roads and streets, also known as being a pedestrian! According to the Active Transportation Alliance, here are some ways to be an SSP (*Super Safe Pedestrian):

• Walk on a sidewalk whenever possible. If there is no sidewalk, walk facing the traffic on the left side of the road. 
• Before crossing a street, stop, look left, right and then left again to make sure it is safe to cross. At a four-way intersection, also look behind and in front.
• Never assume a driver sees you. Make eye contact and wave to drivers before stepping out. 
• Watch for cars entering or exiting driveways, or backing up in parking lots.
• Walk, don’t run, across the street. 
• Cross at corners, using crosswalks and traffic signals whenever possible. Wait for the signal to cross, but still watch out for cars.
• Be alert, removing any headphones or putting devices like phones down while crossing a street.
• Be visible at all times. Wear bright clothing during the day, and wear reflective materials or use a flashlight at night.
• If you are under 10 years old, we suggest you have a walking buddy who is older.

Download and print the ADOT Kids’ active transportation activity to help SSP (Super Safe Pedestrian) Pete safely cross the streets to get home. 

You can learn more about ADOT’s plans and strategies to improve safety, infrastructure, education, plans and programs for active transportation across Arizona on the Active Transportation website. You can also learn more about the 6-mile shared-use path that runs alongside the Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway in Phoenix, which is open to all non-motorized users, such as runners, skaters, walkers and cyclists. Even leashed dogs are welcome to use the path.

Click below to download the activity. 

Hey, kids of all ages. ADOT is taking trash talk to a whole new level. If you are up for some summer fun, check out our litterbug decoder name in this new summer game. A printable version of the game is attached at the bottom of the blog. 

This is only for fun because we know littering is serious business. Adopt a Highway volunteers collect tons of litter each year along  Arizona’s beautiful highways. No one wants to see litter tossed from vehicles or escaping a truck bed. 

We know that littering is rude and bad for the environment. “Litterbug” is the nickname frequently earned by those seen tossing, dropping and stuffing cigarette butts and fast food wrappers anywhere but where they belong—in a proper trash receptacle. 

The trash talk name decoder game is made up of trash-related words paired with some new and creative fun ones. Try it with family and friends who won’t mind a little trash talk. 

If you live in Phoenix and would like to help reduce litter in your neighborhood, visit My Beautiful Phoenix. Tucson area residents can check out Tucson Clean and Beautiful. The Maricopa Association of Governments also focuses on keeping roadways clean through its Don't Trash Arizona campaign.

Arizona, Keep It Grand!

Did you know there are 26 different types or branches of math? Math is not just solving number problems — it is also needed for physics, chemistry and engineering! Civil engineers, like the ones at ADOT, use nearly every form of math at one point in time to do their job. It’s important to have a good foundation of math, especially if you are interested in a career as an engineer. As you progress through school, you can learn more advanced types of math. Physics and chemistry are also important for civil engineers to learn. Civil engineers do not spend all of their time on math, but when it’s needed, they have to be very comfortable with the different branches of math, especially those that deal with physics. 

Here is an overview of the types of math and how civil engineers use them in their work:

• Algebra is used by civil engineers on a daily basis. It is a branch of mathematics in which letters and other symbols are used to represent numbers and quantities, and is used to solve equations and find statistics. 
• Calculus is defined as the mathematical study of change in respect to time, heat, wave, electric current, vibrations and the relationships of the different parts of the problem. An example of calculus in action is the relationship between a car’s speedometer (measures speed) and the odometer (measures distance traveled). One, if unknown (called a variable), can be calculated using the other.
• Civil engineers use trigonometry when surveying a structure. Surveying deals with land elevations as well as the various angles of structures. Trigonometry is the study of the sides and angles, and their relationship in triangles.
• 
  Geometry is used to design with the best angles to make structures as strong as possible, using shape, size, position and other properties. Civil engineers use geometry to design and assemble shapes to construct freeways, tunnels, bridges and more.

Civil engineers use math equations that are derived from chemistry. Chemistry’s equations are used to measure the strength of materials. Engineers use these equations to select the right material for a project, for example, to determine the amount of force a beam can handle and to figure out where to place supports on a bridge.

Civil engineers also use physics. When a bridge is being designed, physics is used to figure out how large the supporting piers should be, how thick the steel columns of the bridge need to be and how many of them should be installed. Physics equations typically use a combination of algebra, calculus and trigonometry. 

Math is a really important part of a civil engineer’s job. At places like ADOT, the planning phase of the project (design) and the budget (how much it will cost) are all based upon mathematical calculations by the engineers. These calculations are also used to ensure safety and durability of the project by using the right measurements and materials.

Test your math skills by downloading our math activity linked below.

Learn more at #ADOTKids on social media or by visiting azdot.gov/ADOTKids.

Sixteen-year-old Zack Okun is intrigued about pursuing a transportation engineering career after participating in the ADOT-sponsored National Summer Transportation Institute.

“I enjoyed working on the activity in which we devised more efficient methods for redesigning and creating autonomous roads to keep our community much safer,” he said.  

Okun was among 44 high school juniors and seniors who engaged in the free virtual program presented by Arizona State University’s Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering in partnership with ADOT’s On-The-Job Supportive Services program, administered through the Business Engagement and Compliance Office and funded by the Federal Highway Administration. 

Two five-day virtual sessions included activities led by ASU engineering faculty and students, as well as virtual field trips to Sky Harbor and Mesa Gateway airports, and the ASU engineering lab. Students received a kit to build a robot car to use for various activities.

The participants conducted field studies on streets in their neighborhoods. Okun, for example, focused on redesigning the intersection of Redfield and Gray roads, near Redfield Elementary School in Scottsdale, to address all transportation methods, including vehicle, pedestrian, bike and bus travel. 

“Students participated in virtual classes and projects that demonstrate how engineers plan and maintain our systems of transportation around the state of Arizona,” said ADOT Workforce Development Program Manager Steve Navis.

Besides Navis, ADOT employees who were presenters included Engineers In Training Babak Dehghani and Diana Palma, and Employee and Business Development Office Administrator Vivien Lattibeaudiere.

Students of all ages can learn about ADOT careers on the ADOT Kids website, azdot.gov/ADOTKids.

What do Legos and treehouses have to do with growing up to work for ADOT?

Well, for Micah Hannam, the assistant district engineer for the Central District in Phoenix, those helped him start on the path toward becoming an engineer. From an early age he knew that he liked math and numbers, and loved to build treehouses and play with Legos. That's why he knew he would grow up to build things.

Does that sound like you?

Then maybe you have a bright future as an engineer too! There are so many different engineers working for ADOT, from civil engineers that prepare technical drawings on how to build roads and bridges, to utility engineers who make sure water, gas and electricty are not disrupted during construction. You can read all about the different types of engineers we have in this previous blog post.

What has Hannam been able to do so far?

He was part of the team that designed and built a new bridge on State Route 347 in the City of Maricopa, where the road needed to go over some railroad tracks that trains were using up to 60 times a day!

He also helped with a project to repave State Route 88 between Apache Junction and Canyon Lake. You can see in the video above how that road looks now.

Imagine what you could make!

Hannam said the best way to get started is to just keep doing what interests you now, whether that is building treehouses, programming computers or playing with robotics. 

"As long as you are enjoying what you are doing, there's something for you in engineering," he said. 

If you are really interested in being an "engineer-as-a-career," watch for more ADOT Kids videos, blogs and activities. Also, make sure to check out the Engineer as a Career section of the ADOT Kids website or find #ADOTKids on social media!

Bicycles are a form of transportation, and because ADOT is the state's department of transportation, we want to make sure bicycle riders are safe on the roads and streets. Here are some tips for kid – and adult – riders!

Wear a helmet

Wear a bike helmet every time you’re on your bike to protect your face, head and brain if you fall down. It should fit you well and have a sticker that says it meets the rules set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Wear it so that it covers your forehead. If it tips back, have the straps tightened and always keep them fastened. Don’t wear a hat under it and take care of your helmet. If it gets damaged, it won’t protect your head as well.

The right bicycle

Having the right size bicycle is important for safety. To check the size, stand straddling the top bar of your bicycle and have both feet flat on the ground. There should be 1 to 3 inches of space between you and the top bar.

Perform a safety check

• Make sure your seat, handlebars and wheels fit tightly.
• Check and oil your chain.
• Check your brakes to make sure they're not sticking.
• Add air to your tires, if needed.

Wear the right clothes

Brightly colored clothing and reflectors on your bicycle will help others on the road to see you. Be careful not to have loose pant legs, straps or shoelaces that can get caught in your bicycle chain. Sneakers are the best kind of shoes to wear when you bicycle. Sandals, flip-flops or shoes with cleats won’t help you grip the pedals. And never go riding barefoot! Don't wear headphones or earbuds because the music can distract you from noises such as a car blowing its horn so you can get out of the way.

On the road

Always watch for cars. At intersections stop, look left, look right and look left again. It’s best to make eye contact with a driver to make sure they see you. Watch for rocks or other road hazards to prevent a crash.

Use hand signals to let others know what you plan to do. For a left turn: left arm extended straight out. Right turn: left arm bent at the elbow, or right arm extended straight out. Stopping: left arm bent down at the elbow. Now that you know more about bicycle safety, including hand signals, give yourself a big thumbs up!

Maps are an important part of transportation communication. Practice drawing a map of your neighborhood and then draw a line showing your bicycle route with this printable activity sheet. Just click on the image above and have your parents print it out! Check out the ADOT Kids website for more fun activities and information about transportation engineering and other related topics. You can also find us on social media under the hashtag #ADOTKids.

Ride safe!

While engineers play a big role at ADOT, employees working in a wide range of jobs also are vital in helping run Arizona’s transportation system.

Director John Halikowski agrees. 

“Everybody’s job is important at ADOT,” he said. “I don’t care where you’re working at or what you’re working on, we’re an incredibly complex and diverse agency ... we all have to rely on each other to make sure that we are safe and we get home safely to our loved ones at night.”

You can read about all the different jobs at ADOT from past blog articles. Here are just a few:

Geologists study the earth at sites before major projects are built. They also examine soil, rocks and moisture properties at the scenes of geologic hazards such as landslides and mudflows.

Landscape architects plan and populate Arizona’s highway road banks and medians with native vegetation (like wildflowers!) that require minimal water.

Materials lab experts run tests on materials from rocks in cement to bolts on bridges to keep the roads and bridges safe.

Snowplow drivers work in 45-foot long, 30-ton machines, which costs an average of $320,000! They keep the roads up north clear of snow using snowplows with cameras and camera laser systems.

Road sign designers and manufacturers turn out 300 to 400 signs a month. Installers make sure the signs stand up to weather, wind and strong drafts created by passing vehicles, especially from semi trucks.

The Incident Response Team is dedicated to keeping the freeways clear. They can push or pull stalled cars out of traffic and clear the roadway after a crash. This can prevent a secondary crash.

Biologists at ADOT work to keep wildlife safe during all design and construction projects. For example, a bridge rebuilding project was put on hold because lesser long-nosed bats (which are an endangered species) were “hanging out” under a bridge. ADOT biologists are part of ADOT’s Environmental Planning group, which also includes archaeologists; planners; and noise, air, water quality and hazardous materials experts.

Highway Operation Technicians are also known as HOT workers. They are taught to use heavy equipment like loaders, graders, skid steers and dump trucks to maintain Arizona’s highways. Maintenance workers are encouraged to innovate to help them improve their work, like this invention called the pokey-picker-upper.

Staff at the Traffic Operations Center, including public information officers and Arizona Department of Public Safety troopers, monitor the state’s highway system 24 hours a day,  seven days a week, using about 460 traffic cameras located throughout the state, which can be put up on any of the 40 55-inch flat-panel displays lining the main wall. They let the driving public know about bad weather, what’s happening on the road using social media and AZ511.gov. 

Motor Vehicle Division customer service representatives issue driver licenses, identification cards, vehicle registrations and more. 

Graphic designers develop and manage ADOT’s brand. You can see in the blog how the different ADOT logos have evolved over time. They work as part of the Creative Services team that includes in-house web developers/designers and video services.

Magazine writers and photographers are also a part of ADOT. Arizona Highways, a world-renowned magazine, brings more than $43 million annually of direct tourism revenue to Arizona, and helps showcase our state’s beauty, diverse culture and rich history with stunning photography and compelling articles.

Learn more on the Careers with ADOT page on azdot.gov. 

Have you ever wondered what it's like to be an ADOT engineer? 

Meet Babak Dehghani. He’s a construction engineer in ADOT’s Engineer-In-Training (EIT) program. He decided to become an engineer because “you could literally change the world.”

That’s barely a brag! Our engineers certainly make Arizona move by ensuring that every road, bridge, airport, water supply and mass transit system is well-planned and completed.

Babak entered the EIT program in January 2020 and in just over a year has worked for a lot of different groups ranging from roadside development to the bridge group.

“Currently I am in construction operations,” Babak said. “The ADOT EIT program is an amazing introduction to the professional world. By working under registered professionals you get the training and experience you need to become a professional engineer. ”

How did he get here? Well, first, Babak went to school. To be accepted in the EIT program, you must have a bachelor’s degree in engineering. A few lessons Babak picked up from his time attending the Fulton School at Arizona State University have stuck with him. 

“The important things you learn from school are in the methods of learning and working well with others,” Babak continued,  “The most important lesson is how to deal with the real world.”

Engineers play an important role for all ADOT projects. Babak says. “It is the transportation engineer's responsibility to plan, design, build, maintain and operate these systems of transport, in such a way as to provide for the safe, efficient and convenient movement for the public.”

He says he’s most happy with his work to build a brand new type of freeway interchange at I-10 and Houghton. 

“I was very proud to work under registered professionals and paraprofessional staff members to see the first diverging diamond interchange built in Tucson.”

Do you have an interest in becoming an engineer? Well, Babak has some tips for you.

“Take the FE exam before graduation.”

That’s the Fundamentals of Engineering exam, and passing it is one of the first steps you’ll take to become a professional engineer. Babak also said it’s important to pick exactly what type of engineer you want to be. Plus, when you are in school, you can find engineering groups to be a part of on campus. Groups like the American Society of Civil Engineers, American Concrete Institute, and Construction Management Association of America will help when you go searching for your dream job.

“It needs to be on your resume,” Babak said.

Just what does Babak want to do when he graduates from the EIT program in 2022?

“I would love to be part of the I-10 Broadway Curve Improvements project.” He may well get that chance, as the project is slated to start soon and last until 2024.

For now, though, he’s thrilled to be part of the EIT program.

“I’m lucky to work alongside extremely capable and experienced engineers who are always willing to help, guide, and prepare you for the professional world of engineering.”

And he’s keeping a positive outlook as to what’s on the horizon for transportation in Arizona.

“Future technologies can improve the safety, efficiency, reliability, and resilience of our transportation network."

 If you are interested in being an "engineer-as-a-career," stayed tuned for more ADOT Kids videos, blogs and activities running this week for National Engineers Week. And make sure to check out the ADOT Kids website or find #ADOTKids on social media!