PHOENIX – The votes have been tallied for the Arizona Department of Transportation’s third Name-A-Snowplow Contest and Arizonans have chosen six names. 

After counting more than 14,000 votes, the winning snowplow names are:

• CTRL + SALT + DELETE
• Blizzard of Oz
• Scoop Dog
• Darth Blader
• Plowasaurus Rex
• Sleetwood Mac

These winners beat out nine other finalists in the Name-A-Snowplow Contest, and the names have been placed on the six of ADOT’s snowplows at maintenance yards in Arizona’s high country. 

“Darth Blader” and “CTRL + SALT + DELETE” are stationed at a maintenance yard in Flagstaff, and “Blizzard of Oz” and “Sleetwood Mac” are located just west of them in Williams. “Scoop Dog” will respond to winter weather in Payson along State Route 87 and State Route 260, and “Plowasaurus Rex” will patrol highways near Globe. 

This contest helps bring awareness to the important work that ADOT snowplow operators do to make highway travel safer when winter storms hit Arizona.

ADOT has 200 snowplows and 400 operators who work around the clock to lay down deicer and clear highways of ice and snow when winter storms hit. For your safety and the safety of other drivers and snowplow operators, if you encounter snowplows on highways: 

• Never attempt to pass a snowplow. 
• Stay at least four car-lengths behind snowplows and equipment. 
• Slow down and give the plow extra room.

Find more winter driving safety tips at azdot.gov/KnowSnow.

About 2,100 names were submitted in the first phase of the contest in January. Those entries were whittled down to 15 finalists that the public voted on.

Sixteen people entered variations of “CTRL + SALT + DELETE,” 11 people submitted “Sleetwood Mac,” and 11 people submitted the name “Blizzard of Oz.” The name “Scoop Dog” was submitted 46 times, “Darth Blader” was submitted five times, and “Plowasaurus Rex” was submitted four times. 

These six winners join our previous winners in the Name-A-Snowplow Contest: “Snowbi-Wan Kenobi,” “Fast and Flurryous,” “Scoopacabra,” “Alice Scooper,” “Snowguaro” and “Frost Responder.”

ADOT’s snowplows are used year-round. Outside of the winter season, the plow blade is removed and the trucks are put to work on highway projects and in response to unplanned events

PHOENIX – With more winter storms forecast over the next several days, the Arizona Department of Transportation strongly urges drivers to delay travel when snow is falling where you are or ahead. In addition to helping keep yourself and others safe, this will allow ADOT snowplows to clear highways efficiently.

Snow and ice on the road can lead to slide-offs and crashes. Those who choose to travel anyway should leave prepared to spend extended time in winter weather. Tracking the National Weather Service forecast and packing an emergency kit are among ADOT’s safety recommendations you’ll find at azdot.gov/KnowSnow.

Winter travel kits should include items such as food, water, medication, a first-aid kit, warm clothing, extra blankets, an ice scraper, kitty litter or sand for tire traction, and a fully charged cellphone. Drivers should make sure their cars are in good working order – including  headlights, brake lights, defroster and windshield wipers – and keep the gas tank at least three-quarters full. 

ADOT has 200 snowplows and 400 operators who work around the clock when snow storms hit to clear the highways of ice and snow. Motorists are reminded to never tailgate the plow – always leave at least four car-lengths of space between the plow and your vehicle – and do not attempt to pass a plow. Letting the snowplow do its job makes travel safer for everyone.

Real-time highway conditions are available on ADOT’s Arizona Traveler Information site at az511.gov, the AZ511 app (download for Apple or Android devices) or by calling 511.

Find more winter driving safety tips at azdot.gov/KnowSnow.

PHOENIX – Six of the Arizona Department of Transportation’s snowplows will soon be named.

Beginning today, the public can go to azdot.gov/NameAPlow to vote for their favorite names as part of ADOT’s third Name-A-Snowplow contest. More than 2,100 entries were received in January and whittled down to 15 finalists. The six names that receive the most votes will be crowned the winners and placed on the driver’s side of snowplow cabs. Voting is open through Feb. 25. 

The 15 finalists are:

• Darth Blader
• Scoop Dog
• Blizzard of Oz
• Plowasaurus Rex
• Sled Zeppelin
• Snowbacca 
• Snowmater
• Jon Bon Snowvie
• Plow Patrol
• Sleetwood Mac
• Scoopy-Doo
• Han Snowlo
• Plowzilla
• Plower Ranger
• CTRL + SALT + DELETE

“Safety is our priority, and it’s exciting to see so many Arizonans participating in this contest,” ADOT Director Jennifer Toth said. “It’s a fun way to bring awareness to the important work our snowplow operators do to keep drivers safe and the highways open during snowstorms. We’re all looking forward to seeing this year’s creative, winning names!”

The top vote getters will be placed on ADOT snowplows at the Flagstaff, Williams, Payson and Globe maintenance yards.

They will join the six snowplows named in previous Name-A-Snowplow Contests. Last year, Arizonans helped name three snowplows located at the Mesa Maintenance Yard, and the winning names were Snowbi-Wan Kenobi, Fast and Flurryous and Scoopacabra. In the first contest, three plows were named Alice Scooper, Snowguaro and Frost Responder. 

ADOT has about 200 snowplows statewide.

Before and during winter storms, snowplow operators work around the clock to treat and clear highways of ice and snow. Remember, if you encounter a snowplow on a highway: 

• Never attempt to pass the snowplow. 
• Stay at least four car-lengths behind snowplows and do not tailgate the plow.
• Slow down and give the plow extra room. 

Find more winter driving safety tips at azdot.gov/KnowSnow.

PHOENIX – The results are in for the Arizona Department of Transportation’s second Name-A-Snowplow Contest and Arizonans have chosen some humorous and creative names. 

After tabulating more than 9,500 votes, the winning snowplow names are:

• “Snowbi-Wan Kenobi”
• “Fast and Flurryous”
• “Scoopacabra”

These winners beat out seven other finalists in the Name-A-Snowplow Contest, and the names have been placed on the driver’s side of three of ADOT’s snowplows. These three snowplows are stationed at an ADOT maintenance yard in Mesa and have been out clearing ice and snow along State Route 87 between Mesa and Payson this winter season. During other seasons, the plow blade is removed and the trucks are used in a variety of ways.

Arizonans in mid-January submitted around 3,400 names in the first phase of the Name-A-Snowplow Contest. Eleven people submitted variations of the name “Snowbi-Wan Kenobi,” 11 people submitted “Fast and Flurryous” and two people submitted “Scoopacabra.” 

“Snowbi-Wan Kenobi,” “Fast and Flurryous,” and “Scoopacabra” join last season’s winners “Alice Scooper,” “Snowguaro” and “Frost Responder.”

ADOT has 200 snowplows and 400 operators who work around the clock to lay down deicer and clear highways of ice and snow when winter storms hit. ADOT’s snowplow operators have been out for each winter storm this season, helping keep the traveling public safe. Drivers who choose to travel in winter storm conditions should be prepared to spend an extended amount of time in their vehicles. Check az511.gov or download the AZ511 app (free on Apple and Android) for real-time highway conditions.

And remember, if you encounter snowplows on highways:

• Never attempt to pass a snowplow.
• Stay at least four car-lengths behind snowplows and equipment. Plowed snow can create a cloud that reduces visibility.
• Slow down and give the plow extra room.

Find more winter driving safety tips at azdot.gov/KnowSnow.

Each winter Arizonans count on snowplow operators to clear highways when snowstorms roll through Arizona’s high country. Operators of the Arizona Department of Transportation’s 200 snowplows have been training since mid-September on snowplow simulators to prepare for the upcoming season. 

ADOT’s five snowplow simulators, located in Flagstaff, Kingman, Holbrook, Phoenix and Tucson, are programmed with scenarios that are meant to mimic what operators may encounter on Arizona roads. A given training session can have a driver working in daytime or night in locations that include highways around the San Francisco Peaks near Flagstaff or the Grand Canyon National Park Airport, which ADOT operates. It’s a convenient and effective way for the drivers to learn and boost safety on the state’s highway system during the winter.

“These simulators help us to train our employees at a fraction of the cost that it would be if they were to take a plow out, spend funds on fuel and risk damaging equipment,” said Mario Ortega, ADOT training delivery manager. “With the simulator they can hit a sign, hit a vehicle, and we can start over. In the real world, there are no do-overs.”

Instructors can create different simulations that give ADOT snowplow operators the opportunity to drive in various scenarios, including daytime and nighttime conditions, rainy or low visibility circumstances and even the iciness and material of the roads. The simulator will react, allowing an operator to feel what it’s like to drive over railroad tracks or encounter an icy highway.

All ADOT snowplow operators are required to complete a refresher class on the simulator every year in addition to holding a commercial driver license.

“This is a tool for our operators, a tool for the state, for ADOT, to make the roads safer for the traveling public and our operators,” Ortega said.

In the real world, drivers of passenger cars can also do their part to keep everyone safer:

• Always stay at least four car-lengths behind a snowplow

• Never attempt to pass a snowplow, to prevent crashing into the massive vehicle.

• More information about driving near snowplows can be found at azdot.gov/KnowSnow.

ADOT has over 400 trained snowplow operators who work around the state. During the busy winter season last year, ADOT spent nearly $13.8 million on winter operations. Operators covered 1.2 million miles, nearly twice as many as they drove during the 2021-22 winter season and logged more than 66,000 hours – more than double the previous season’s total.

ADOT reminds travelers to prepare for winter conditions. Visit ADOT’s 511 Travel Information site or download the AZ511 app (free in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store) to check highway information before leaving and real-time conditions via the statewide network of highway cameras. Ensure that your vehicle is in good working order with tires equipped to handle snow. 

Get more information and tips for driving in winter weather at azdot.gov/KnowSnow. 

PHOENIX – Arizona Department of Transportation snowplow drivers have logged well over a million miles to clear state highways amid this winter season’s record-setting storms. 

The 1.2 million miles covered by ADOT’s fleet of some 200 snowplows is nearly twice as many as they drove during the 2021-22 winter season. ADOT’s trained snowplow operators have logged more than 66,000 hours – more than double the previous season’s total – working through the challenge of removing snow and ice as safely and as quickly as possible from highways impacted by winter storms.

“Our snowplow operators are heroes of the highways every winter, but it’s especially true over the past several months,” said ADOT Director Jennifer Toth. “I hope drivers truly appreciate the long hours they put in, along with first responders from other agencies, when record-setting winter storms strike.”

When storms are forecast in the high country, ADOT has the ability to send snowplow operators from other parts of the state, including metro Phoenix and Tucson, to areas where manpower and experience are needed.

“Many people, especially those who don’t travel into the higher elevations, don’t realize all the work that goes into battling back from the punch Mother Nature delivers during winter storms,” said Kevin Duby, ADOT’s statewide road weather manager. “It’s remarkable to see how our snowplow operators, often working 12-hour shifts, keep at it until the job is done.”

Duby also pointed to another group of unsung heroes at ADOT: the mechanics who work year-round to keep snowplows and other ADOT work vehicles on the road. As the state’s weather warms up, plow blades and other equipment will be removed from many snowplows so they can be used asdump trucks during summer and fall.

Drivers can check on highway conditions all year via ADOT’s 511 Travel Information site or by calling 511. ADOT also provides highway information and answers via Twitter (@ArizonaDOT) and the agency’s Facebook page (facebook.com/AZDOT). 

The abundance of rain and snow this winter and early spring, which in many ways is welcome news following years of drought, has created ideal conditions for worn pavement and potholes. 

The Arizona Department of Transportation maintains more than 6,800 miles of state highways. This wet and icy winter season, including this week’s storms, created conditions that keep highway crews very busy keeping up with potholes, particularly in areas with snow. 

While this work continues, you can help by slowing down on highways affected by storm-related potholes, something that’s already a good idea given wet and icy conditions many highways are seeing. Reducing speed and staying alert can help you see and avoid some potholes. You can report pavement issues to azdot.gov > Contact ADOT. 

Pavement damage including potholes can pop up quickly when moisture seeps into and below asphalt. Add the pounding that highways take from traffic, and parts of the pavement can break away. This challenge is especially acute in Arizona’s higher elevations, where pavement is subjected to more freeze-thaw cycles than most of the rest of the country.

ADOT crews regularly examine state highways for potholes and address them as quickly as possible, making short-term patches followed by longer-term repairs. They also respond when motorists report potholes and other pavement damage, focusing on the most serious problems first. 

When storms create potholes, highway workers make initial temporary repairs as soon as possible with various patching materials that are placed in the damaged area and tamped down.

More permanent repairs come after the pavement has had time to dry out. That work involves the use of a milling machine to remove a section of pavement around the pothole. A sticky oil is sprayed into the milled area being fixed before the patch is placed on top. Crews finish the repair by using a heavy compaction roller to smooth out the pavement.