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]
Jennifer Toth[3] was appointed by Governor Katie Hobbs as the ADOT Director in January 2023. 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.
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][4]
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.[5]
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.[6]
Freeway signs
ADOT is noted for using pop-culture references to catch commuters eyes and deliver important safety tips on the electronic overhead signs.[7] References have included Star Wars, Star Trek, and Pokémon Go.[8][9]
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."
