FAQ

• By using the UDOT Traffic App.
• From the UDOT Traffic website.
• From the UDOT Traffic Twitter page.
• Dialing 511 on your telephone.
• Selecting UDOT Traffic Alerts, from your profile page.

Using closed-circuit TV cameras, traffic and weather sensors, coordinated traffic signals, and ramp meters, operators in the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) Traffic Operation Center (TOC) monitor and manage traffic flow on surface streets and freeways. The UDOT TOC is connected to smaller Traffic Control Centers (TCCs) in Salt Lake City and Salt Lake County, as well as UTA’s three Radio Control Centers. All these agencies work together to improve travel along the Wasatch Front. The traffic, weather, and accident information collected at the TOC is communicated to Utah travelers via the 511 Travel Information Line, electronic roadway signs, radio, television, and the Internet. This information helps travelers “Know Before They Go” and allows them to make informed transportation decisions.

As Utah continues to grow, so does the challenge of mobility. In 1995, the Utah Senate passed Senate Bill 1995-12, which addressed Utah’s transportation challenges by establishing a Traffic Management Committee to work with UDOT in implementing Traffic Management Systems on state highways. The Traffic Management Committee (TMC) consists of representatives from Salt Lake City, UDOT, Wasatch Front Regional Council, Mountainland Association of Governments, Salt Lake County, the Department of Public Safety, and the Utah Department of Air Quality. This committee recognized the benefits of using an Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) to manage traffic flow and improve the efficiency of existing roads. The Utah Transit Authority and the Federal Highway Administration also partnered with the TMC as additional ITS possibilities were explored. UDOT Traffic is made possible through the cooperation of these public agencies.

In its first years of operation, UDOT Traffic has proven its effectiveness. The system has already helped increase peak-hour freeway speeds by 20% and reduce freeway delays, traffic signal stops, and intersection delays by 36%, 15%, and 27%, respectively. And this is just the beginning of what UDOT Traffic has to offer.

Although UDOT Traffic cannot guarantee you will only get green lights, the system does help make traveling along the Wasatch Front more efficient. UDOT Traffic has already helped reduce traffic signal stops by 15%. It has also helped reduce intersection delays by 27 %. Continued benefits are anticipated as the timing at more and more intersections is updated.

UDOT Traffic has already improved the safety and efficiency of transportation all along the Wasatch Front. Many Utah cities and towns are experiencing significant population growth, with the accompanying traffic congestion and economic impacts. UDOT Traffic is a cost-effective and efficient solution to help relieve congestion on roads and highways. Although UDOT Traffic doesn’t mean we will never need to build additional roads, it represents a transportation solution that allows the maximum efficiency on existing roads.

Yes, in only its first few years of operation, UDOT Traffic has already saved Utahns time and money. By increasing peak-hour freeway speeds while reducing freeway delays, traffic signal stops, and intersection delays, UDOT Traffic is projected to save Utahns more than $100 million each year.

By reducing congestion, UDOT Traffic helps decrease the number of accidents that occur. When accidents do occur, UDOT Traffic helps emergency personnel quickly identify, respond to, and clear the accident. These highly trained personnel include UDOT’s Incident Management Team members who help stranded motorists and assist the highway patrol in managing traffic around accidents.

UDOT Traffic is designed to increase the safety and efficiency of local roads and freeways and to inform drivers of adverse conditions such as accidents or congestion. It is not intended to identify speeders or enforce traffic laws.

As a general rule, camera footage will not be recorded and saved. Some occasional camera footage may be recorded strictly for training purposes. This footage will be used to analyze and improve responses to future roadway incidents.

One of the most important features of UDOT Traffic is its ability to give Utahns valuable real-time transportation information. The transportation, weather, and accident information constantly gathered at the TOC is communicated to Utah travelers via the 511 Travel Information Line, radio, television, the Internet, the UDOT App, the UDOT Twitter page and electronic message signs along the roadways.