PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Transportation has reallocated more than 2,600 N95 respirator masks to two state-operated assisted care facilities to help address a need for personal protective equipment during the current health situation.

ADOT delivered 1,440 masks to the Arizona State Veteran Home in Phoenix and 1,200 masks to the Arizona Pioneers’ Home in Prescott following a call for the protective gear from the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs and Governor Doug Ducey.

“We knew there was a shortage in the medical community, so we made these available to the other state agencies that had a more critical need,” said Sonya Herrera, director of ADOT’s Administrative Services Division.

Until receiving the donation, the Arizona Pioneers’ Home had only a small supply of the protective gear remaining for a staff that cares for pioneers and retired miners.

“I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart on behalf of the Arizona Pioneers' Home for your donation of masks,” Director of Nursing Jamie Suffriti said in a note to ADOT. “I am beyond grateful over the support ADOT has provided us! You are helping to save lives and keep the staff and our residents safe. I am and will always be grateful.”

ADOT had purchased the personal protective equipment during a previous viral outbreak and quickly evaluated its inventory when learning of the current demand for the medical-grade masks.

“We truly appreciate ADOT's quick response to our need for more N95 masks,” Arizona State Veteran Home Administrator Kimberly Trotta said. “Through this critical time, we are encouraged by the kindness shown to us as we continue to care for our veterans.”

As with many other professions, ADOT’s staff and construction contractors are working to abide by guidance from the Arizona Department of Health Services and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including social distancing and a recommendation to wear cloth face coverings in public places. 

To learn more about ADOT’s efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, please visit azdot.gov/covid-19-resource-center.

PHOENIX – “Camera 712.”

With that announcement, Arizona Department of Public Safety Trooper Robb Brown alerts others at the Arizona Department of Transportation’s Traffic Operations Center to a ladder reported on the Loop 202 Red Mountain Freeway near Dobson. Operating the camera by remote control, Brown quickly finds the ladder in the eastbound right lane, then calls that out too.

“Do you have signs?” Neil Barker asks fellow ADOT traffic dispatcher Kate Buckmaster.

“Getting them now,” Buckmaster replies. 

A few clicks of a keyboard and mouse, and digital message boards activate along eastbound Loop 202, warning drivers of debris in the right lanes. 

It’s around 4 p.m., one of the busier times of day at the Traffic Operations Center, located near the Interstate 17 Durango Curve in Phoenix. But the control room dynamics would be the same at any hour: ADOT and AZDPS working together to alert motorists to potential dangers, mobilize ADOT personnel and state troopers, and make sure the public knows what’s up via the Arizona Traveler Information site (az511.gov), the 511 phone system and social media.

Amid the current public health situation, that 24/7 presence at the Traffic Operations Center is helping keep the public safe, mobile and informed.

“We’re the nucleus for transportation information, both receiving and transmitting that information,” said Derek Arnson, who oversees the Traffic Operations Center as ADOT’s Traffic Management Group manager. “With our cameras and message boards, the TOC is important to the success of the state economically and to getting people where they need to go.”

Based on the many TV news live shots set here, you’re likely familiar with the Traffic Operations Center’s wall of monitors that can display up to 40 camera views at one time. Usually, one feed goes across four monitors, creating a display with 10 views from ADOT cameras along freeways in the Phoenix and Tucson areas. 

But the real action in the control room lies with Brown, Barker, Buckmaster and others dedicated to getting Arizonans safely home.

On this afternoon, one of Buckmaster’s duties is overseeing the overhead message boards and making sure incidents are entered into a reporting system that logs them and populates 511.

Barker is working with ADOT’s Incident Response Unit sponsored by State Farm, which has staff patrolling Valley freeways to clear minor crashes, remove debris and set up traffic control to help keep traffic moving and reduce the chances of secondary crashes.

ADOT dispatchers at the Traffic Operations Center usually divide the state into rural and metro calls, with one person supervising each. If traffic is heavy, those on shift jump in to help wherever needed to light up overhead message boards, dispatch units or log incidents.

Problems like crashes and debris are fairly common. But during this afternoon rush hour, ADOT dispatchers also send a unit to make sure an on-ramp crash didn’t damage a ramp meter and look out for a pedestrian reported walking along a freeway.

Since 2015, an AZDPS trooper has been stationed at the Traffic Operations Center around the clock to help locate crashes and help coordinate that agency’s response to incidents. In addition, there’s always an ADOT public information officer on duty to get the latest out via the agency’s social media channels, primarily Twitter (@ArizonaDOT), and respond to traffic-related questions from the public and news media.  

Nearly an hour after the ladder was called in, Brown happens to notice traffic slowing on a camera. He pulls up another camera close by and finds the HOV lane on northbound Interstate 17 blocked due to a multi-vehicle crash.The view from camera 411 goes up on the front wall.

“I’ll put signs up,” Buckmaster says.

Barker leans over to a radio microphone: “6-Tom units copy traffic,” and an Incident Response Unit member responds.

It’s not uncommon during the evening commute for the wall to be full of crashes the dispatchers are constantly monitoring.

The I-17 crash doesn’t block traffic for long. As the camera shows the vehicles moving out of the travel lanes, there’s another round of announcements.

Buckmaster says overhead signs are coming down. Brown verifies that troopers have taken the involved parties to a city street. Barker clears Incident Response Unit.

And then it’s back to monitoring until the next incident occurs.

PHOENIX – Beginning Wednesday, motorists on Arizona highways will see messages on Dynamic Message Signs encouraging them to stop the spread of COVID-19.

The Arizona Department of Transportation’s overhead message boards will rotate messages daily that encourage social distancing, like avoiding crowds and limiting travel, and good hygiene, like washing hands and covering coughs.

“Arizona continues to take proactive measures to combat the spread of COVID-19 and protect the health and safety of Arizona citizens,” said Governor Doug Ducey. “These messages reflect guidance from public health professionals and will help us keep Arizonans informed during this time.”

The messages will be displayed indefinitely on ADOT’s 291 overhead message boards statewide.

For more information about what Arizona is doing during the COVID-19 outbreak, visit ArizonaTogether.org, which serves as the central location for Arizonans to find help or provide support. Arizonans can also call the Arizona COVID-19 Hotline by dialing 211. The hotline will operate from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

PHOENIX – Pavement repairs continue, as do highway construction and improvement projects. For long-haul drivers delivering essential goods, rest areas offer truck parking and facilities. Crews patrol Phoenix-area freeways to quickly clear crashes and help stranded motorists.

Along nearly 7,000 miles of state highways, Arizona Department of Transportation employees continue providing a safe and reliable transportation system as part of the state’s pandemic response.

“Throughout it all, ADOT staff – from every corner of the state – remain committed to supporting the people of Arizona and those who are moving critical goods into and through our state,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said. “We remain committed to supporting Governor Ducey and his leadership as we navigate this situation together, as a state.”

ADOT’s Motor Vehicle Division is continuing to assist customers and protect employees by limiting office visits to those needing transactions that must be done in person and by offering those visits by appointment only. Meanwhile, most motor vehicle transactions don’t require an office visit and can be performed at any time by visiting ServiceArizona.com.

At ADOT’s Traffic Operations Center, dispatchers are on duty 24/7 to monitor the freeways and highways across the state for incidents, deploy personnel as needed to keep traffic moving and share critical information on overhead message boards. ADOT’s social media channels, including Twitter (@ArizonaDOT), are real-time sources of information and interaction. Information on highway conditions is available at any time by visiting ADOT’s Arizona Traveler Information site at az511.gov or calling 511.

ADOT’s rest areas remain open with crews providing heightened sanitary protocols such as more frequent cleanings and regularly disinfecting frequently touched surfaces such as door handles, sinks and faucets. Rest areas are especially important to commercial drivers who use truck parking there to get their required rest.

At ADOT’s commercial ports of entry, officers and other staff handling safety inspections and permitting are helping the Arizona Department of Public Safety support the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's emergency declaration providing regulatory relief for trucks involved in emergency assistance.

Around the state, maintenance crews are repairing pavement and guardrails, removing rockfall and performing other work to keep highways operating safely. ADOT construction and improvement projects are moving forward as well, with no anticipated disruptions.

On Valley freeways, members of ADOT’s Incident Response Unit are on patrol to assist motorists and quickly clear crashes, helping to reduce the chance of secondary crashes by getting traffic moving.

From job sites to offices, ADOT employees are observing social distancing guidelines and taking precautions such as workers using the same vehicles every day. Many meetings involving groups are moving to video conferencing or conference calls.

ADOT is also exploring virtual options for public meetings and public hearings on highway projects and studies. With the public comment period for ADOT’s Tentative Five-Year Transportation Facilities Construction Program underway, the public can provide input via an online form at azdot.gov/tentative5year, by email at fiveyearconstructionprogram@azdot.gov and by phone at 855.712.8530. The public comment period lasts from March 20 through 5 p.m. on June 2.

PHOENIX – An Arizona Department of Transportation employee was killed Wednesday while setting up a sign alerting drivers to pavement repairs along Interstate 10 south of the Phoenix area.

Frank Dorizio, 55, was a member of ADOT’s Incident Response Unit, which helps keep Phoenix-area freeways safe by setting up traffic control, removing debris and assisting stranded motorists.

“While the Arizona Department of Public Safety continues its investigation, this is a tragic reminder that drivers must stay alert around construction zones and always be prepared for the unexpected,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said. “Lives are on the line when dedicated highway workers like Frank Dorizio are making things better for all of us in work zones.”

Dorizio joined ADOT in October 2015 as a highway operations worker with the Little Antelope Maintenance Unit in northern Arizona. In 2017, he joined the Happy Valley Maintenance Unit in Phoenix. He joined the new Incident Response Unit last September.

“Whether or not we worked directly with Frank Dorizio, each of us at ADOT mourns his loss and honors his commitment to getting everyone safely home,” Halikowski said. “His co-workers and friends say the same thing about Frank: ADOT was his family, and he was committed to our agency's mission and to the people of Arizona.”

Dorizio is the first ADOT worker since 1998 to be struck and killed while working along a highway.

To call attention to the need to stay alert around work zones, many of ADOT’s overhead message boards will show the following over the weekend:

ADOT WORKER KILLED
IN WORK ZONE
DRIVE ALERT

Learn more about Work Zone Safety on FocusOnDriving.com.

PHOENIX – You’ve seen the unconventional traffic safety messages above Arizona highways on digital message boards. Beginning today, you’ll again have the opportunity to see your own message on ADOT’s Dynamic Message Signs.

That’s right; the Arizona Department of Transportation’s annual Safety Message Contest is back. Beginning today, messages can be submitted at azdot.gov/signcontest through Monday, March 2.

The contest gives Arizonans the opportunity to see their clever safety message displayed on overhead signs statewide, encouraging drivers to make better decisions behind the wheel.

“This will be the fourth time we’ve had the contest and each year the response has been tremendous with thousands of entries flooding in,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said. “We love seeing the creativity from so many, but we’re even more thrilled that people are thinking and talking about safe driving when coming up with their contest entries.”

ADOT displays quirky traffic safety messages, which often are related to current events and pop culture, as part of an effort to encourage drivers to change their actions behind the wheel. We all need a reminder about safe driving because more than 90 percent of vehicle crashes are caused by driver decisions, such as speeding, driving aggressively, distracted or impaired. According to preliminary data, nearly 1,000 people were killed in traffic collisions last year on Arizona’s roads.

When creating your messages – there’s no limit to the number of entries you can submit – remember these guidelines:

• The message must relate to traffic safety.
• Signs accommodate 18 characters per line, 3 lines
• #Hashtags, phone numbers and website addresses are not allowed.
• No emoji.

After the March 2 deadline has passed, ADOT will select 12 finalists. In March, the public will vote for their favorites among the finalists and the two messages that receive the most votes will appear on overhead signs above Arizona state highways.

PHOENIX – Three months after launching, the Arizona Department of Transportation’s Incident Response Unit has offered assistance nearly 4,000 times on Valley freeways, helping boost safety by getting traffic moving sooner after crashes. 

In a first for ADOT, a new sponsorship by State Farm is helping the 14-member Incident Response Unit continue this important work, which ranges from setting up traffic control to moving vehicles involved in minor crashes to removing debris – even changing a flat tire here and there.

By improving traffic flow after crashes, the Incident Response Unit sponsored by State Farm reduces the potential for secondary crashes, which often are more destructive than the initial crashes, while helping motorists get where they need to be. This work helps free Arizona Department of Public Safety troopers to concentrate on investigations and respond to other situations on Phoenix-area freeways. 

"Protecting public safety is our state's number one responsibility, and ADOT's Incident Response Unit is doing just that," said Governor Doug Ducey. "This innovative sponsorship between State Farm and ADOT will improve highway safety while saving taxpayer dollars, which means more money to build and maintain our transportation infrastructure."

In the coming weeks, Valley drivers will see ADOT Incident Response Unit vehicles wrapped with State Farm branding as part of this sponsorship.

“Our support of the Arizona Department of Transportation Incident Response Unit program embodies our ‘good neighbor’ philosophy,” said Matthew Coleman, State Farm marketing director. “It also underscores the continued commitment State Farm has to auto safety, while helping people recover from the unexpected, which is the heart of the State Farm mission.”

“State Farm is making Arizona a better and safer place by helping ensure that everyone gets safely home,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said. “This sponsorship is a real win-win for everyone, including motorists and Arizona taxpayers.”

About 250 motor vehicle collisions occur each day in Maricopa County, most of them requiring a response from law enforcement, fire departments, transportation crews or tow trucks.

“Our troopers feel the difference on Valley freeways, thanks to the Incident Response Unit,” said Lt. Col. Jenna Mitchell with the Arizona Department of Public Safety’s Highway Patrol Division. “When troopers are able to focus on their primary role at incident scenes, it allows them to better serve the public.

“The partnership between the Arizona Department of Public Safety and the Arizona Department of Transportation is critical to traffic incident management,” Mitchell added. “The Incident Response Unit provides traffic control and assistance to motorists, allowing troopers to focus on investigating collisions and traffic enforcement, such as distracted and impaired driving, and makes Arizona safer.”

The Incident Response Unit sponsored by State Farm patrols Phoenix-area freeways from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays, ready to assist state troopers and the public. In addition to providing support at crash scenes, units may be called upon to assist stranded motorists. In December alone, they responded to more than 1,400 incidents.

“Every minute counts after a crash,” said Alberto Gutier, director of the Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety. “When a crash is minor, getting vehicles off the highway and restoring traffic flow quickly improves safety for all.”

State Farm sponsors similar patrol units in 20 other states, helping departments of transportation use limited transportation funding for other priorities.

“Safety is our top priority,” said Karla Petty, administrator for the Federal Highway Administration Arizona Division Office. “An alliance of so many safety-minded groups is another step in the right direction to keeping Arizona drivers safe.”