Skip to main content

ADOT installs new sensors to help track freeway traffic flow

Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) is installing new in-road sensors along the state’s freeways to monitor traffic flow in an effort to reduce congestion. The sensors provide the data used to estimate the travel times that that are displayed on message boards above freeways. The data also helps ADOT and the Maricopa Association of Governments, the regional transportation-planning agency make decisions about future freeway improvements. Using electronic wires embedded in the road, the sensors have b
May 19, 2017 Read time: 1 min
6576 Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) is installing new in-road sensors along the state’s freeways to monitor traffic flow in an effort to reduce congestion.


The sensors provide the data used to estimate the travel times that that are displayed on message boards above freeways. The data also helps ADOT and the Maricopa Association of Governments, the regional transportation-planning agency make decisions about future freeway improvements.

Using electronic wires embedded in the road, the sensors have been used along many Valley freeways for years. The current project is installing additional in-pavement sensors as a more reliable replacement for acoustic devices that are mounted on poles.

When the sensor-installation project is completed, more than 85 locations on Phoenix-area freeways will have new traffic-flow sensors.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Orange County to manage traffic with trial interoperable CCTV
    September 12, 2014
    Interoperable CCTV can provide early warning of problems and help improve traffic management and incident response as Morteza Fahrtash and Carlos Ortiz explain. California’s transportation system is one of the state’s defining features and Caltrans (California Department of Transportation) strives to improving mobility across the state through the design, construction, operation and maintenance of the network of highway, freeways, toll roads and expressways.
  • Affordable and versatile traffic data
    January 20, 2012
    Houston TranStar, which has been collecting travel time and segment speed data using vehicle probe data since 1995, has an extensive coverage area that envelops most local commuters' daily freeway routes. However, expanding the existing Automated Vehicle Identification (AVI) system would be cost-prohibitive except for high-volume freeways. The partners of the Houston TranStar consortium needed a new method to measure speeds and travel times on arterial roadway systems and rural freeways. Instead of using co
  • New York's award-winning traffic control system
    February 28, 2013
    A comprehensive ITS strategy in New York built on a system of key building blocks has been crowned with an IRF award for the city’s Midtown in Motion adaptive control system. Jon Masters reviews New York’s ITS modernisation plan as the city looks to the next phase of expansion. In January this year the International Road Federation (IRF) presented TransCore and the New York City Department of Transportation (NYCDOT) with the IRF Global Road Achievement Award. This was for deployment of New York’s Midtown in
  • Seattle's 'Smarter Highways' recognised by ITS America
    January 31, 2012
    The Seattle Smarter Highways initiative has been recognised by ITS America with a Smart Solution Spotlight award for using innovative technology to create a safer, cleaner, more efficient and sustainable transportation system.