By John Halikowski / ADOT Director

I’ve grown accustomed to your face ...

Sound familiar? It is a song from the Broadway musical “My Fair Lady.” The song could also represent ADOT’s efforts in the use of facial recognition software to fight identity theft in Arizona.

ADOT first implemented facial recognition technology in 2015 for use by our Motor Vehicle Division.  The technology allows our MVD personnel to look at a driver license photo and identify features on a person’s face. From there, the system can compare those features to every other photo in MVD’s database.

If there is a match in the system, there is now the potential problem of someone using another person’s identity to obtain a driver license or identification card. When that happens, MVD alerts ADOT’s Office of Inspector General to conduct an investigation. Our detectives, who have received FBI facial-recognition training, perform three levels of review to determine if identity theft has occurred. If the investigation proves fraudulent activity, law enforcement officials are notified and prosecution can take place.

I commend our employees at MVD and ADOT’s detectives for their efforts in protecting the people of Arizona. The use of facial recognition software is critical to our efforts to protect the identities of Arizona citizens and prevent fraud involving state-issued driver licenses and identified cards.

“I’ve Grown Accustomed to Your Face” should only be heard on stage, not here at ADOT.

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

By Caroline Carpenter / ADOT Communications

What was once the little rural community of Maricopa is now a growing city of nearly 50,000. Along with expansion, the town of Maricopa has experienced some big city problems, including traffic congestion.

As traffic has increased on State Route 347, the main road in and out of the Maricopa, so has the number of complaints about the traffic signals malfunctioning on SR 347. In an effort to ensure ADOT signals are working properly, a wireless communication system has been installed at every intersection along SR 347. Antennas, video cameras and heat detecting cameras allow ADOT traffic signal technicians to remotely monitor traffic and the traffic signals.

While there will still be heavy traffic at times and backups because of crashes, the new remote traffic signal monitoring system is another way ADOT is using technology to continuously improve.

The wireless communication system isn’t the only improvement planned for SR 347. A bridge over the Union Pacific Railroad tracks is also in the works.

By Gant Wegner / ADOT Communications

Have you heard the news?

Ford Motor Co. announced its plan to sell self-driving cars by 2025. The ride-sharing company Uber is letting customers in Pittsburgh get a lift in a self-driving sedan or SUV. Google’s engineers have had their hands off the steering wheel for 2 million test miles on public roads in four U.S. cities.

These "autonomous" vehicles ‒ cars that operate independently without human control ‒ will ultimately have the intelligence to safely navigate streets and highways all by themselves.

No steering wheel, brake pedal or accelerator pedal. You and I will just be along for the ride.

This futuristic form of transportation is happening now in Arizona, where a hotbed of autonomous vehicle research and development is centered in the Phoenix region. Ford is driving toward its 2025 goal by putting autonomous vehicles through the paces at the company’s test track near Wittmann. Google’s cars are on the streets of Chandler and Ahwatukee to see how well their self-driving vehicle technology handles the challenges of sun glare, extreme heat and "haboob" dust storms (we trust the cars will Pull Aside and Stay Alive). General Motors has a technical innovation center hopping with activity while self-driving prototypes of Chevrolet’s brand-new Bolt electric vehicle are quietly zipping around Scottsdale. A company called Local Motors even created an autonomous shuttle bus named Olli with an amazing 3-D printer. In Tucson, the University of Arizona partnered with Uber to develop mapping technology for the company’s autonomous vehicles.

Why all the fuss to develop self-driving vehicles?

Autonomous vehicles will change the face of personal transportation. They have the potential to virtually eliminate crashes – the ones killing about 35,000 people each year in the United States and 891 people in Arizona in 2015. Reducing the number of crashes will prevent the traffic congestion they cause. Computer-controlled cars won’t drive drunk, distracted or dangerously … and, we hope, not engage in road rage.

Self-driving vehicles offer mobility to blind and other disabled people who can’t otherwise drive themselves. The vehicles are more energy-efficient because their computers can determine the best route and speed to maximize efficiency.

At ADOT, we embrace the new technology. As a member of the Arizona Self-Driving Vehicle Oversight Committee ‒ created by Governor Doug Ducey in 2015 ‒ ADOT is partnering with public safety and policy experts to determine how best to advance the operation of autonomous vehicles in our state. Our agency is experimenting with intelligent transportation system technologies that would allow self-driving cars to communicate with each other and connect with the transportation system. ADOT also has a seat at the table with auto manufacturers, technology companies, other states and the federal government to ensure we are on the same page moving forward with the evolution of autonomous vehicle transportation.

Our efforts are examples of the continuous improvement culture at ADOT that pushes us to be a high-performing organization.

The next few years are shaping up to be exciting ones for transportation. Stay tuned!

By John Halikowski / ADOT Director

What does Arizona Cardinals left tackle and captain Jared Veldheer have in common with the Arizona Department of Transportation? They both believe seat belts save lives.

In a new public service campaign launched by ADOT – Seat belts. For Life. – Jared Veldheer touts the need for proper equipment to play football. “I wouldn’t play football without wearing a helmet and shoulder pads, and I won’t drive my truck without wearing a seat belt. Being safe is being smart.” He ought to know as it is his job to protect the Arizona Cardinal's quarterback for any blind side hits. A seat belt serves the same purpose of protecting occupants in a vehicle.

On Arizona roadways in 2015, there were 258 unrestrained occupant fatalities, which account for 29 percent of the people killed in traffic crashes that year. In the past five years in our state, there have been 1,205 unrestrained occupant fatalities. Lack of seat belt use is annually one of the leading factors in traffic deaths.

Buckling a seat belt is the easiest thing to do when you get in a car. Its sole purpose is to help you survive a crash. Let the seat belt do its job – buckle up.

I want to thank Jared Veldheer for partnering with ADOT on this important safety campaign. You can view the two public service announcements –“Strong Man” and “Safety Gear” – at azdot.gov and on our social media channels – Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

And remember: Buckle up everyone, for every trip.

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