It's time for that big family trip to the Grand Canyon. Everyone's ready, the car's packed and the destination entered into the GPS.

Only things left before hitting the open road are double-checking the traffic and the weather. And thanks to some help from the National Weather Service, you can do both with a quick stop at our Arizona Traveler Information site, az511.gov.

Since we revamped the traveler information site last year, users have been able to see forecasts and a live weather radar to track potential precipitation, in addition to information about incidents, road closures, construction and heavy traffic. But now we've added functionality with the ability to see National Weather Service watches, warnings and alerts.

Like other features at az511.gov, you can select "Weather Alert" from the menu on the right side of the screen. Storm cloud icons will populate the map if any watches, warnings or alerts are active. Just click on one of those icons to see the text, along with a map of the area involved. And just like that you have a good idea about what to expect on that drive up Interstate 17, whether it be fellow tourists or a possible thunderstorm.

Even if you are not leaving town, you can use this new feature to check for excessive heat warnings or even whether a monsoon storm is estimated to hit during your commute home, all while also looking at your customizable list of cameras and traffic alerts.

This is just the latest in a long line of features and options designed to help you be a more informed driver and to get from Point A to Point B safely and on time. If you haven't already, register for a free MyAZ511 account and download our 511 app for iOS and Android devices.

Something new, blue and helpful-to-you is popping up along Arizona highways, and it's just the beginning.

The Arizona Department of Transportation has installed the first four 511 business-sponsored signs as part its recently launched 511 Logo Signs initiative.

These signs bearing both 511 travel information and sponsor names are at Loop 202 Red Mountain Freeway west of Priest Drive, Loop 202 Santan Freeway north of Williams Field Road, US 60 east of Stapley Road and State Route 64 in Tusayan.

As we shared in a post earlier this year, businesses can sponsor signs reminding motorists to call 511 for travel information. Horizontal, 60-by-18 inch placards listing the sponsor names are under the familiar blue 511 signs. 

The 511 Logo Sign Program was introduced in May with sign locations in the greater Phoenix and Tucson areas. Additional sign locations have just been added on other highways in Arizona, including interstates 8, 15, 19 and 40. 

Proceeds go to the Arizona State Highway Fund, which pays for highway maintenance and repairs around Arizona.

In addition to restaurants, eligible business categories include gas, lodging, camping, attractions and 24-hour pharmacies. Plans to open the 511 logo program to sponsors in motor vehicle-related goods or services categories are moving forward. 

Businesses are invited to contact program representatives at 855.712.4500 and learn more at 511LogoSigns.az.gov. To see ADOT’s newly redesigned Arizona Traveler Information website, please visit az511.gov.

By Tom Herrmann / ADOT Communications

By now, Arizona drivers are accustomed to seeing blue signs along our highways that let us know what services are available at the next exit.

This summer you will begin seeing new blue signs with a new message for travelers but the same positive impact on local businesses and Arizona roads.

Instead of identifying local businesses like the current signs, the new 511 Logo Signs will remind drivers that highway information is available by calling 511.

For businesses, the signs represent an opportunity to gain exposure 24 hours a day and promote their brands along state highways. Sponsoring businesses – categories eligible to participate include food, gas, lodging, camping, attractions and 24-hour pharmacies – will have the area to themselves. Each sign will carry only one sponsor.

The signs will be posted first in the Phoenix and Tucson areas, then expand to Yuma and Flagstaff and later to other areas around Arizona.

As beneficial as the signs will be for the businesses represented on them, they may be just as much of a boost to the state. Proceeds from the program will go to the Arizona State Highway Fund to repair and maintain roads. The original blue signs have raised more than $6 million for that purpose over the past decade. And while it’s too early to predict the economic impact of the new program, every dollar in proceeds mean a dollar less is needed from state taxes to improve Arizona roads.

Business owners are invited to contact program representatives at 855.712.4500 to discuss their needs and potential signage solutions. Interested business owners can learn more about the program at 511LogoSigns.az.gov.

To see ADOT’s newly redesigned Arizona Traveler Information website, please visit az511.gov.

By Laurie Merrill / ADOT Communications

The new AZ511 system at az511.gov allows motorists to personalize the alerts they receive. Users can create alerts to correspond to the routes they have set up.

Assuming you have set up a few of your most commonly traveled routes under "Manage My Routes,” you can open them under My AZ511. To the right of each route, you will several columns, including Posted Travel Time, Current Travel Time and Distance.

To the right of those, you will see tabs for View, Create Alert, Edit and Delete.

To set up alerts, click on Create Alert. This will open a screen that allows you to further personalize your travel experience. You are required to name your alert. If you have named your travel route something like “Home Again,” you can name your corresponding alert something like “Home Again Alert.”

You can set up under what circumstances you wish to receive an alert. You can choose to be notified when traffic on your route has slowed down and when travel time has increased. You can ask to be notified of certain incidents and events along your route.

You can tailor your alert even further by requesting to be alerted during certain hours and on days of the week and whether you want to be notified by email or SMS.

The cool thing to remember is you can’t really make any mistakes. Anything you don’t like you can edit. If you want to start all over you can also delete your alerts!

Don't forget to add your phone when you create your My 511 account. If you've created a route, you can call the 511 system from the phone number linked to your account and hear a traffic report for the route you've created.

By Laurie Merrill / ADOT Communications

The new mobile-friendly AZ511 system that provides up-to-the-minute conditions along Arizona’s highways can also be tailored to suit your personal travel needs.

Arizona Department of Transportation’s updated AZ511.gov website now offers a “My AZ511” feature that lets you save your favorite routes and traffic cameras.

This is how it works:

At the upper right of the screen you'll see a button for "My AZ511." Right click and you’ll see four options. We are focusing on the first: Manage Routes & Alerts.

Click on Manage My Routes and you will see a box that says “Create New Route.” Click on this. It will open a dialog box allowing you to fill in a starting point address and ending point address under A and B.

Next, you can hit the button that looks like a car, or you can select the transit option next to it. Once you click this icon, you will get your travel time, travel distance and step-by-step directions.

You will also get notifications of roadwork, crashes and closures. You can see your route on the AZ511 map to the right of the “My Routes” box.

Going back into the “My Routes” box, you can name your route if you like. If it is one you are going to use over and over, we recommend you do so. (I have one called “Home Again.”)

To add to your cameras, click on a camera icon on the map. Then click the “add” button at the top of the camera popup.

Now you have your own personal route with photos that are intended to reflect traffic conditions when you plan on driving.

Have fun with this app, and stay tuned for a blog coming soon on Managing Alerts!

By Kathy Cline / ADOT Communications

Welcome to your new AZ511 website! As with anything new, it may be overwhelming at first, but this change is to help give you even more relevant information. Here are some tips to help navigate the new site:

1. Register for an account. This allows you to personalize the site for your needs. Your information is never shared..

2. When you sign in, you'll see a menu on the right side of the screen. You can now choose which options you'd like to see when you sign in. Some standard options include crashes/incidents, project restrictions and cameras. But you can also get more details such as border wait times, traffic speeds, weather radar or our overhead message boards. If you want, you can even make this menu box disappear by clicking on the "Map Legend" box at the top left.

So play around a bit until you find the combination of information that's right for you. Just keep in mind that in general you should try not to have more than four options up at any one time. Any more may cause some slowing.

3. On the left side of the screen, you'll see "My Routes" and "Tweets." The Tweets tab displays ADOT's Twitter feed for up-to-the-minute information about crashes and closures. "My Routes" allows you to put in addresses you're starting from and where you are going. The site will then show you possible routes, turn-by-turn directions and what closures or restrictions you can expect on the way. If this a route you use often, you can even save it!

If you don't want to see this, simply click the arrow next to the "Tweets" tab to make it vanish.

4. At upper right you'll see a button for "My AZ 511." The links here will help personalize the site even more. You can create text or email alerts for your routes, create a list of frequently used freeway cameras or manage your account settings.

5. Under the "Traffic" button, a link to "Travel Times List" will show you how long it'll take to get from Point A to Point B on the same freeway and what the average speed is.

While the new site is live, we're still refining it and making sure all of the kinks are worked out. If you see a problem or have a suggestion for improving the site, go to the "About" tab and scroll down to "Contact Us" to submit your suggestion.

Remember, users can also call our recently upgraded 511 phone line to hear personalized updates.

Safe travels!

By David Rookhuyzen / ADOT Communications

Heraclitus of Ephesus, a fifth century B.C. Greek philosopher, once summed up his views as "everything changes and nothing stands still."

We won't get into all the implications of that, but one we can take to heart is the idea that we have to keep changing and improving to provide the best service to Arizona's drivers.

As part of our continuing goal of making transportation personal, we've unveiled a revamped Arizona Traveler Information site at az511.gov and the 511 phone line that will allow individuals to get information specific to the routes they use every day.

Among the many changes, motorists visiting az511.gov can now:

• See speed maps of state highways
• Save favorite routes and traffic cameras
• Get travel time estimates and alternate route suggestions
• Set up text or email alerts for travel time/incident changes for favorite routes
• See weather forecasts, radar and National Weather Service watching or warnings 
• See ADOT's Twitter feed on the homepage

Travelers calling the 511 phone line will also be able to access new features including:

• A new menu with voice recognition
• The ability to transfer to state and national parks, airports and other transportation-related contacts
• The ability to transfer to the Adopt a Highway line to report littering

Users receive all of this plus a redesigned, mobile-friendly interface. This redesign will also be accompanied in the near future by an app version for iOS and Android devices.

The aim here is clear: Whether you are planning a road trip or heading to work, we want you to get information you need on the highways, whether that be Loop 101, Interstate 10, State Route 77 or State Route 86.

We are still adding features and will be addressing issues with the new system. If you see something we can improve, you can use the "Contact us" link that is under the "About" drop down menu on the new site.