Two state agencies and two industry associations are partnering to promote iDriveArkansas.com, a website where motorists can get real-time traffic updates and advanced notice of construction projects.
The partners are the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department, Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism, Arkansas Oil Marketers Association and Arkansas Hospitality Association.
The website had a “soft launch” in November, and the department has been advertising it since January, said Glenn Bolick, special projects coordinator for the highway department.
For the first half of 2014, more than 500,000 people have used iDriveArkansas.com, said Bolick. The site was accessed more than 1 million times during the first six months of the year.
On Wednesday, representatives from the four partners held a news conference at Arvest Ballpark in Springdale to encourage motorists to use iDriveArkansas.com before taking trips over the long July Fourth weekend.
Bolick said Arkansas voters “overwhelmingly passed” two measures to improve the state’s roads. He was referring to a constitutional amendment in November 2012 that calls for a temporary half-percent sales tax and a November 2011 vote to renew a $575 million bond program to repair interstate highways.
“We’re sorry, but you voted for these two programs so there’s going to be a whole lot of construction going on in Arkansas,” Bolick said during the news conference. “iDriveArkansas tells you where all the construction is, and it will also give you traffic conditions.”
Tourism is the state’s second leading industry behind agriculture, said Dick Trammel of Rogers, a member of the Arkansas Highway Commission.
“There’s pain with orange barrels,” said Trammel, referring to barrels used to close lanes for highway construction. “But it’s just like moving, when you have to clear out the garage. When the pain is over, it’s a whole lot better.”
Richard Davies, director of the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism, began his remarks with a joke.
“I’d like to correct one misconception,” said Davies. “Arkansas is not an Indian word for land of orange barrels.”
Davies said 23 million people visited Arkansas last year. They spent about $6 billion in Arkansas, including $425 million in state taxes, he said.
“People don’t like surprises,” said Davies. “They want to know what’s going on on the roads before they leave so they don’t get stuck in [traffic].”
Taking the side roads in Arkansas can be a blessing in disguise, said Davies.
“The construction is a great excuse to get out and see some places in Arkansas that you might not otherwise, or might not have seen in a long time,” he said.
Steve Ferren, executive director of the Arkansas Oil Marketers Association, said they first thought of iDriveArkansas.com as a tool for truckers, but then realized all travelers could benefit.
Ferren said his association is encouraging owners and managers of gas stations across the state to put stickers on the gas pumps advertising iDriveArkansas.com.
The Highway Department partnered with Google on the website, Bolick said. Google can track real-time traffic by monitoring the pings cell phones send to towers, he said.