STATEMENT FROM THE STREET TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT
January 2018 - New Sign Structure at 7th Avenue and Vista for Travel-Time Information Display
In response to various concerns community members expressed about the sign structure that was installed at Seventh Avenue and Vista, we removed the sign.
The structure was installed to accommodate a real-time travel information sign as part an intelligent transportation systems project.
We did not conduct any type of community input process or notification in the months leading up to this project.
It was a mistake for the department to not conduct any type of community input process or notification in the months leading up to this project. Given that, we own the mistake and we are making the internal changes to ensure this does not happen again. The location of the sign is different than the majority of our installations that entail community meetings. Due to that uniqueness, we regret the important step of notifying the community was overlooked – it shouldn’t have been.
Travel-Time Information Display Goals
Provide Accurate Travel Time in Real-Time to Drivers
Minimize Traffic Congestion
Improve Safety |
Project Overview
The city of Phoenix Street Transportation Department’s travel-time information project includes displays intended to be installed at strategic locations on Cave Creek Road, Seventh Street and Seventh Avenue to assist motorists with making informed travel decisions.
These displays provide real time travel-time information to allow motorists to be aware of how long it will take to drive from one point of a road to another. They also will feature travel-time information about nearby alternate routes, including nearby freeway routes.
This project is part of the city’s evolving intelligent transportation systems program – a program aimed at creating a safer, more efficient and sustainable transportation system.
Project Status and Next Steps
The City is reevaluating this project. No signs will be installed without a public meeting and outreach to the nearby community.
Public Input Process
Next steps will entail a public involvement process to provide stakeholders with an opportunity to provide input on this project. Staff is in the process of outlining a public involvement plan. More information will be provided on the public process in the near future. Details will be shared with area stakeholders and posted on this webpage.
Questions & Answers
The information is made possible through the Street Transportation’s use of travel-time data combined with ADOT data to generate accurate travel times on the identified routes.
The displays will feature travel-time information about the street where the sign is located and travel-time information about nearby alternate streets and freeways. As a result, drivers are more likely to be diverted away from Seventh Avenue or Seventh Street, potentially improving traffic efficiency. The existing travel-time information signs on the freeway system will not feature travel-time information about arterial streets and do not identify arterial streets as alternate routes.
The pole-mounted displays are intended to be installed at strategic locations on Cave Creek Road, Seventh Avenue and Seventh Street. At select locations, the displays will feature travel-time information for northbound and southbound travel.
By providing accurate travel-time information, motorists on Cave Creek Road, Seventh Street or Seventh Avenue may decide to take an alternate route to avoid traffic congestion or remain on their current route. As a result of drivers choosing an alternate route, Cave Creek Road, Seventh Street or Seventh Avenue, may realize reduced traffic volumes. Accurate traffic-information displays help maximize the efficiency of a roadway.
The estimated cost for this project is approximately $1.3M. Approximately 75 percent of the project is funded through a Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program Federal Highway grant received from Maricopa Association of Governments.
Project Contact
Street Transportation Department
Michael Pinder
602-495-7179
michael.pinder@phoenix.gov
