Tag Archives: Phoenix

Don’t let GPS, navigation apps replace common sense when you pick a route

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PHOENIX – When a highway closes or you’re just looking for possible routes, it’s natural to consult a navigation app or GPS unit. But drivers need to apply common sense to a computer’s suggestions, starting with not taking buses and other vehicles that aren’t up to the task down unpaved roads.

Since State Route 64 closed due to heavy snow between Grand Canyon Village and Grand Canyon National Park’s east entrance, a large bus, a smaller bus and at least two passenger vehicles carrying tourists have gotten stuck on a forest road heading east from US 180 between Valle and Flagstaff toward US 89.

While tow trucks were able to free the other vehicles free and get them headed back to US 180, the Arizona Department of Public Safety, with help from an Arizona Department of Transportation snowplow, had to rescue 45 people from the tour bus as Monday’s snowstorm moved in. The driver of the bus, which was bound for Page, said his GPS unit recommended taking the forest road.

The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office receives many calls throughout the year from motorists who get stuck following suggested alternate routes onto unpaved roads. It’s a big concern for ADOT during the winter, when snowstorms can cause sudden and prolonged highway closures.

“Sticking to the main highways is a driver’s best bet, especially during snowstorms,” said Audra Merrick, district engineer for ADOT’s North Central District. “Our snowplow crews are out clearing these roads around the clock along with patrols from the Department of Public Safety and ADOT’s motor-assist vehicles. Don’t follow an alternate route that’s not regularly plowed during winter storms.”

Earlier this winter, a Pennsylvania family wanting to see Grand Canyon National Park’s North Rim got stranded following forest roads suggested as an alternate route to State Route 67, which closes for the winter along with park facilities. A woman suffered frostbite walking 26 miles trying to get help, while her husband eventually was able to call rescuers by climbing high enough to get a cellphone signal.

Sgt. Aaron Dick, search-and-rescue coordinator for the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, said if a suggested road becomes rough or difficult to navigate the best thing to do is turn around. Motorists also can prevent problems by understanding the settings on their GPS units or navigation apps, starting with making sure they are ranking alternate routes by “shortest time” rather than “shortest distance.”

“The shortest-distance setting will connect roads in the GPS unit’s inventory to create the shortest route without knowing the status or condition of the roads,” he said. “The shortest-time setting will generally keep the driver on paved or well-maintained roads.

Drivers heading to northern Arizona should do their research on road conditions by checking az511.gov and ADOT’s social media accounts on Twitter (@ArizonaDOT) and Facebook (facebook.com/AZDOT). They also should consult ADOT’s tips for winter driving at azdot.gov/KnowSnow, including:

  • Tell someone where you are going, your intended route and your expected arrival time.
  • Bring extra clothing and gloves, make sure the gas tank is half to three-quarters full at all times, keep cellphones charged, and pack extra drinking water, snacks and all necessary medications.
  • Pack an emergency kit that includes blankets, a flashlight with extra batteries, an ice scraper, a small shovel, a container of sand or cat litter for traction and warning lights or reflectors.

Great weather . . . great hunting!

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PHOENIX — A week’s worth of gray skies has given way to wall-to-wall sunshine. The rain puddles are long gone. The air is crisp, clean, refreshing.

While snow still might be piled high in some places around Arizona, it’s a great time – no, the perfect time – to head for the backcountry in lower elevations and take advantage of some great hunting opportunities.

But hunters need to get going. The general waterfowl season in the “Desert Zone” ends Sunday, Jan. 29. The last day to use “over the counter” archery-only nonpermit-tags for any antlered deer and spring javelina is Tuesday, Jan. 31. And the general season for Gambel’s, scaled, California and Mearns’ quail closes Feb. 12.

Don’t forget about the general spring javelina season. As of Monday, Jan. 23:

193 leftover hunt permit-tags were available for handgun, archery and muzzleloader (HAM) spring hunts that begin Feb. 10.
183 hunt permit-tags remained for general spring hunts that begin Feb. 24.

All of the leftover hunt permit-tags are available on a “first-come” basis. The Arizona Game and Fish Department has posted online a list of the leftover hunt permit-tags. Hunters can apply one of two ways: Fill out a paper application and bring it to any department office statewide, at which time a hunt permit-tag will be issued, or mail the completed application to: Arizona Game and Fish Department, Attn.: Draw/First Come, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086. Allow 10 to 15 business days to receive a hunt permit-tag by mail.

ADEQ Voluntary Environmental Stewardship Program Recognizes New Achievers

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PHOENIX – Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) officials announced today the addition of nine new participants in the Voluntary Environmental Stewardship Program (VESP), bringing the number of organizations demonstrating its value to 40. For ADEQ’s VESP, this is just the beginning – we want to recognize every deserving voluntary effort each Arizona business, municipality, school and non-profit is contributing to enhancing and protecting our communities’ health and environment.

ADEQ’s VESP encourages environmentally responsible economic growth and incentivizes Arizona businesses and other organizations demonstrating effective environmental practices to find more ways they can benefit from these actions, which also protect public health and the environment.

Simple and innovative voluntary actions stimulate VESP participants’ opportunities for less burdensome regulations and achieve positive outcomes for our communities, which deserve recognition. In addition to showcasing VESP participants’ achievements, program benefits can include:

  • Coordination of multiple on-site inspections
  • Reduced reporting requirements
  • Advance notification of inspections and enforcement rulings

“Arizona’s 50th Legislature passed the bipartisan-supported bill establishing the Voluntary Environmental Stewardship Program, encouraging ourselves to be ever-forward looking…the essence of which is the very embodiment of VESP,” said former Arizona state legislator, Hon. Amanda A. Reeve. “Many Arizona businesses, entities and organizations are invested in the health and responsible economic growth of our community; thus voluntarily endeavor to implement conservation and sustainable measures that go above and beyond environmental law requirements. ADEQ’s VESP recognizes these achievements and encourages continual implementation of innovative environmental stewardship practices. Through the community’s leadership, ADEQ will continue to grow VESP far beyond the already impressive participation of 40 entities.”

The VESP awards five levels of recognition (Copper through Platinum) and is proud to recognize the following new participants: Visit http://www.azdeq.gov/other/VESP today to learn more about the VESP and submit your application (http://bit.ly/2VESPApp) to earn recognition your organization deserves.

New verification method means veteran specialty plates may now be ordered online

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PHOENIX – Ordering a veteran specialty license plate no longer requires standing in line at an Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division office. With the introduction of a new electronic affidavit system to verify a veteran’s status, plates may now be ordered at ServiceArizona.com, skipping the office visit.

“As MVD continues to be ahead of the curve by improving customer service, this is one of the more gratifying changes we’ve made,” said MVD Director Eric Jorgensen. “MVD is proud to provide these plates to honor our veterans, and it’s very important to make it as easy as possible for our customers get out of line and safely on the road.”

Under state law, only veterans and their immediate family members may apply for a veteran plate. Until now, this plate could only be ordered in person at an MVD or Authorized Third Party location where the applicant would have to show veteran status documentation.

To allow for online ordering, MVD developed an electronic affidavit system that the applicant must initial before the transaction can be completed. MVD has also established an auditing compliance system to review applications to ensure that only those who are legally eligible receive the plate.

Each month, more than 1,200 applications for these plates are processed at MVD offices. Allowing this transaction to be done online will not only allow customers to order the plate at their convenience, but will reduce the amount of customer traffic at MVD offices.

In fiscal year 2016, veteran plates generated just over $1.2 million for a special veterans fund administered by the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services.

For more information on specialty plates, please visit azdot.gov/mvd.

ADOT begins updating goal for Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program

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PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Transportation has begun the process of updating its goal for the percentage value of federal-aid contract dollars won by firms certified for its Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program.

To do so, the agency has retained Keen Independent Research to develop a draft study on the availability of disadvantaged business enterprises in Arizona. This availability study will be completed in May and released for public review and comment along with ADOT’s proposed participation goal for disadvantaged business enterprises.

Every three years, ADOT must submit to the Federal Highway Administration an overall annual participation goal for disadvantaged business enterprises, expressed as a percentage of dollars going to certified firms from contracts using U.S. Department of Transportation funds.

Two public meetings on the proposed goal will be held in June, with public comments to be accepted through the end of June. The new goal, which must be submitted this summer, will go into effect on Oct. 1.

As part of this process, ADOT will seek comments on the proposed participation goal, the draft availability study, the conditions for minority- and women-owned firms in the Arizona transportation contracting marketplace, and other topics. All public comments will be reviewed before ADOT submits its final goal request to the Federal Highway Administration.

Through federal fiscal year 2017, ADOT has an overall disadvantaged business enterprise participation goal of 8.9 percent for contracts using Federal Highway Administration funds, setting contract-specific goals on some of its federally funded contracts to help meet the goal. During the past two fiscal years, ADOT has exceeded its goal.

ADOT will also use results of the availability study results to develop new overall disadvantaged business enterprise participation goals for its contracts funded by the Federal Transit Administration and the Federal Aviation Administration.

ADOT is briefing industry groups about the availability study and the goal-setting process and will provide regular updates on the process through the ADOT Business Engagement and Compliance website, azdot.gov/BECO.

A year later, it’s happily fur-ever after for Dottie the dog

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A year ago today, an ADOT traffic camera found a precious little dog holding onto a freeway median wall for dear life.

Today, life is good for Dottie – and her six puppies.

Arizona Department of Transportation operators watched as the pooch ran through rush hour traffic on northbound State Route 51 near Shea Boulevard, jumped onto the median wall and sat there, seemingly too scared to move.

Gil Estrada, a traffic reporter working at the Traffic Operations Center, drove to SR 51 and Shea Boulevard, rescued Dottie and drove her back to the TOC. Jayson Winter, a TOC operator, took her to a vet to check for a microchip, then took her home for the night.

After a search failed to find her owners, the Arizona Equine Rescue Organization offered to help find the dog, by that time named Dottie, a new fur-ever home. She’s been a happy part of Marci and Denis O‘Shaughnessy’s family ever since.

“Dottie has been a wonderful dog,” Marci said. “She just lights up the entire house. She’s so lovable.”

Denis, recently retired, says Dottie and her adopted brother, Fella, keep him busy. “I was worried that I would have all this free time. Dottie and Fella take care of that. They want attention all the time, and I give it to them.”

It turned out that Dottie was expecting at the time of her rescue. Her puppies – five males, one female – live on the same street in north Phoenix, some with an O’Shaughnessy daughter’s family and some with a neighbor. One remains with Dottie at the O’Shaughnessy home.

Dottie’s story has a happy ending. Sadly, that’s not always the case when an animal wanders among fast-moving cars and trucks. Here are some ideas for keeping your pet safely out of the roadway.

If you see a dog on the highway, call 911. Don’t get out of your vehicle to capture it. You may mean well, but getting out of a vehicle on the freeway is dangerous for you, the animal and other drivers. Let professionals handle the rescue.

ADOT alerts trucking companies to possible scam by individual impersonating police officer

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PHOENIX – Trucking companies should be on alert for an individual impersonating an Arizona Department of Transportation Enforcement and Compliance Division officer.

Earlier this month, a man identifying himself as an officer with ADOT’s Enforcement and Compliance Division contacted a Mesa-based trucking company saying one of its trucks was damaged in a crash and that the company needed to send payment for a mechanic called out to make repairs.

Inconsistencies in the suspect’s story led the company’s operations manager to suspect a scam.

Trucking companies should be aware of the following if contacted by someone identifying himself or herself as an ADOT Enforcement and Compliance Division officer:

  • While ADOT officers assist state troopers and local police agencies with commercial vehicle safety inspections, they don’t investigate crashes or typical traffic incidents.
  • ADOT officers will assist drivers who have been involved in crashes or have mechanical problems but will never unilaterally call mechanics and hold trucks until payment is made.
  • ADOT officers may call for heavy-duty tow trucks, but this would be discussed beforehand with the trucking company.
  • An ADOT officer will give a trucking company his or her name, badge number, location and contact information. The officer will also provide the truck number and driver’s name. Typically, the officer will have the driver speak with his or her company.

If a trucking company has suspicions, the owner or manager can call the ADOT Enforcement and Compliance Division dispatch center at 602.712.8396.

Prepare for next storm, traffic if heading to play in the snow Sunday

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PHOENIX ‒ Planning a trip to play in the snow Sunday? Leave prepared for heavy traffic around popular snow-play sites and the potential for more winter weather to arrive as early as Sunday afternoon.

Highway conditions can deteriorate quickly during severe weather as snow accumulates and drivers struggle, and closures can happen suddenly and be prolonged.

Your trip preparations should begin with packing a fully charged cellphone, drinking water, and winter coats, warm blankets or both. Among other winter driving tips at azdot.gov/KnowSnow, you should take: healthy snacks; gloves, scarves, caps and extra socks; necessary medications; an ice scraper; a flashlight with extra batteries; a small folding shovel for snow removal; and a small bag of sand or cat litter for wheel traction.

Plan your route and let someone know where you are going.

If you plan to visit snow-play areas along US 180 near Flagstaff, prepare to spend extended time in winter weather – and to face heavy traffic and delays getting back to Flagstaff that increase as the day goes on. The Flagstaff Convention & Visitors Bureau lists the locations of all Flagstaff-area snow-play locations at FlagstaffArizona.org (follow the Winter Snowplay link) and offers a hotline at 844-256-SNOW with the latest snow conditions.

If you’re heading south from US 180 at day’s end, you can save time getting to Interstate 17 once you reach Flagstaff by taking a marked alternate route to Interstate 40 at Butler Avenue, via Switzer Canyon Drive and Route 66, then heading west to I-17.

Wherever you go, don’t park along highways or interstates or on freeway interchange ramps to play in the snow (the photo above shows vehicles parked on a ramp at the Interstate 17/Stoneman Lake Road interchange). That’s dangerous for you, other drivers and first responders. It exacerbates traffic congestion and makes it more difficult for the Arizona Department of Transportation’s snowplows to clear snow and ice. Park in designated areas away from highways.

The latest National Weather Service forecast for Arizona’s high country says the next winter storm is expected to enter the region as early as Sunday afternoon. It has the potential to produce significant snow and rain by late Sunday, though the exact timing remains uncertain.

Even if it isn’t snowing on your trip uphill, drive for conditions, slow down and avoid accelerating suddenly. Melting snow can turn into ice overnight, particularly around bridges. Leave plenty of space between your vehicle and the one ahead to avoid sudden braking.

Give snowplows a wide berth, staying at least four car lengths behind. Never pass a snowplow that’s clearing a road. Remember: The safest place on the road when it’s snowing is behind a plow.

ADOT’s Twitter (@ArizonaDOT) and Facebook (facebook.com/AZDOT) accounts are excellent sources of information on traffic conditions, as is the ADOT Traveler Information site available at az511.gov or by calling 511.

Respect the plow! Help ADOT help you by giving snowplows space

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PHOENIX ‒ With the worst of back-to-back winter storms yet to come, the Arizona Department of Transportation’s snowplow operators are working 12-hour shifts to keep highways open.

In some cases, other drivers are making that difficult job even tougher.

On Thursday afternoon, an SUV struck a snowplow working on State Route 89A between Prescott Valley and Jerome (shown in the photo). Everyone was OK – though the SUV was severely damaged – but ADOT lost precious time clearing that route.

Meanwhile, snowplow drivers are encountering difficulty clearing Ash Fork Hill on eastbound Interstate 40 because large trucks aren’t, as signs instruct them, staying in the right lanes.

ADOT’s 400 certified snowplow drivers, operating the agency’s nearly 200 snowplows, need room to work. Give them space, starting with staying at least four vehicle lengths behind and never passing a working plow until the driver pulls over to let traffic pass.

Here are other tips straight from ADOT’s snowplow drivers:

· To avoid interfering with snowplows, drivers of large trucks need to heed signs on steep uphill grades telling them to stay in the right lane or right lanes.
· Never assume a snowplow operator knows you are nearby. If you can’t see the plow driver, there is a good chance the driver can’t see you.
· Plowed snow can create a cloud that reduces visibility, and spreaders on trucks throw de-icing agents or sand that can damage vehicles, so stay back.
· Leave space when stopping behind a snowplow. The driver might need to back up.
· If approaching an oncoming snowplow, slow down and give the plow extra room.
· Just because a plow has been through the area, drivers shouldn’t assume the roadway is completely clear of snow and ice.
· Nighttime plowing is far more difficult than daytime plowing, so use extra caution around snowplows after dark.

For more tips on respecting the plow and other winter-driving essentials, visit azdot.gov/KnowSnow.

Red Cross opens shelter in Pine AZ as a result of the winter storm and power outages.

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PHOENIX – The American Red Cross Greater Phoenix Chapter has opened a shelter at the Pine Community Center located at 3916 N. Highway 87 Pine AZ 85544 to assist those who have been displaced by the storm or are affected by power outages in the area.

In advance of the storm, the Red Cross of Greater Phoenix prepositioned a team to Pine on Thursday. Power outages in the area have triggered the opening of the warming center/shelter.

The Red Cross would like to remind everyone to avoid the use of improvised heating sources during power cold weather power outages. Never use a generator, grill, camp stove or other gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal-burning devices inside a home, garage, basement, crawlspace or any partially enclosed area. Locate unit away from doors, windows and vents that could allow carbon monoxide to come indoors.