Arizona Department of Transportation

The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT, /ˈeɪdɒt/) is an Arizona state government agency charged with facilitating mobility within the state. In addition to managing the state's highway system, the agency is also involved with public transportation and municipal airports. The department was created in 1974 when the state merged the Arizona Highway Department with the Arizona Department of Aeronautics.[2]

Arizona Department of Transportation
Agency overview
FormedJuly 1, 1974 (1974-07-01)
Preceding agencies
  • Arizona Highway Department
  • Arizona Department of Aeronautics
JurisdictionArizona
Headquarters1801 W Jefferson St, Phoenix, Arizona
Agency executive
  • Jennifer Toth, Director[1]
Parent agencyState of Arizona
Websitewww.azdot.gov

ADOT was a pioneer in the use of rubberized asphalt as a method to increase durability and reduce road noise on state highways while providing an opportunity to recycle scrap tires. Its "Quiet Pavement" project started in 2003 surfaced about 115 miles (185 km) of Phoenix-area freeways with rubberized asphalt.

Former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters had previously been a Director of ADOT. The past Federal Highway Administrator, Victor Mendez, was also previously a Director of ADOT.

ADOT's publications division publishes Arizona Highways magazine.

ADOT Divisions
Staff members at the Arizona DOT meeting with Congressmember Tom O'Halleran in 2020.

Aeronautics Division

The Aeronautics Division, now a part of the Multimodal Planning Division, promotes aviation in the state, license aircraft dealers, assists in the development of public airport projects and manages Grand Canyon National Park Airport.[1][3]

Intermodal Transportation Division

ADOT's Intermodal Transportation Division (ITD) traces its roots back to 1909 with the establishment of the post of Territorial Engineer, to 1912 with the creation of the Office of State Engineer and to 1927 when the Arizona State Highway Department was created. Divided into 11 groups and 10 engineering districts, the ITD is responsible for building and maintaining Arizona's highway infrastructure. It is overseen by the State Engineer.[2] Currently it is headed by State Engineer (Deputy Director of Transportation) Dallas Hammit

Motor Vehicle Division

The Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) is responsible for driver licensing and vehicle registration. It has 1600 employees and an annual operating budget of $72 million. Currently it is headed by ADOT Assistant Director Eric Jorgensen.[1]

As of FY 2023, the MVD has 7,969,576 license plates registered with the department.[4]

Enforcement and Compliance Division

It utilizes certified peace officers to enforce transportation related laws and regulations.

The Enforcement and Compliance Division was originally the enforcement component of the Motor Vehicle Division. Created in 2010 by former division Director, Terry Connor (retired Arizona DPS Commander), the Division separated from the Motor Vehicle Division to improve the enforcement capabilities of the department. Under current Division Director Tim Lane, the division continues to provide the state of Arizona a highly trained agency to protect Arizona's infrastructure. The Enforcement and Compliance Division has 3 separate units: the Enforcement Services Bureau, Office of Inspector General and the Executive Hearing Office.

The Enforcement Services Bureau (ESB) utilizes certified police officers to enforce state and federal commercial vehicle regulations. Stationed at Port of Entry stations, mobile scale teams and MVD offices, these officers are trained to perform a variety of duties and also enforce fuel tax laws. The Bureau also assists other state, local and federal agencies when needed.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) utilizes detectives to deter theft, fraud and other crimes as well as assisting other state, local and federal agencies.

The Executive Hearing Office (EHO) employees an Administrative Law Judge and staff on driver license hearings and other administrative cases.

Multimodal Planning Division

The Multimodal Planning Division (MPD) is the arm of ADOT involved in transportation planning. As its name suggests, the mandate for the MPD deals with creating plans for various modes of transport, including highways and public transit at both a regional and statewide level.[5] Currently it is headed by ADOT Assistant Director Scott Omer.[1]

Freeway signs

ADOT is noted for using pop-culture references to catch commuters eyes and deliver important safety tips on the electronic overhead signs.[6] References have included Star Wars, Star Trek, and Pokémon Go.[7][8] Signs have included:

  • "Drinking & Driving go together like Peas and Guac"
  • "Awaken your inner force. Focus on the road."
  • "Texting and driving leads to the dark side."
  • "The force is strong with you. Put down the phone."
  • "Be a rebel, not a clone. Put down the phone."
  • "Road rage? Let the Wookiee win."
  • "Drive Sober Live Long and Prosper"[9]

See also

References
  1. Arizona Department of Transportation (n.d.). "Executive Leadership". Arizona Department of Transportation. Retrieved October 17, 2016.
  2. Intermodal Transportation Division (n.d.). "About ITD". Arizona Department of Transportation. Archived from the original on April 8, 2009.
  3. Aeronautics Division (n.d.). "ADOT Aeronautics Division". Archived from the original on April 23, 2009.
  4. Motor Vehicle Division (May 31, 2009). "Plate Counts: Fiscal Year 2009 Point-in-Time" (PDF). Arizona Department of Transportation. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 9, 2009.
  5. Multimodal Planning Division (n.d.). "ADOT Multimodal Planning Division". Arizona Department of Transportation. Archived from the original on March 29, 2009. Retrieved April 3, 2009.
  6. Samoy, Kayla S. (December 17, 2015). "ADOT Ups Its Game as Star Wars:". The Arizona Republic. Phoenix. Retrieved October 17, 2016.
  7. Thomas, Jennifer (July 22, 2016). "ADOT Sign Reminds Gamers that Pokemon Go Is No-Go when Driving". Phoenix: KTVK-TV. Retrieved October 17, 2016.
  8. Wang, Amy B. (December 2, 2015). "Peas and Guac? That Was far from the First Time ADOT Made a Gag". The Arizona Republic. Phoenix. Retrieved October 17, 2016.
  9. Dorf, Alison (July 22, 2016). "Tucson's Top 3: What You Need to Know to Start Your Day". Tucson News Now. Tucson, AZ: KOLD-TV.
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