ITD steps up for Idaho's Great American Eclipse
As ITD looks back on the 2017 Solar Eclipse, it is fair to say that the event was a success for safely moving people in and around the state to enjoy the experience — especially given the apocalyptic predictions leading up to the final weekend.
Using traffic counters and analyzing the numbers from HQ’s Roadway Data team, we conservatively estimate over 160,000 people came from out of state for the event. There was no major congestion as those folks drove into the state. Traffic ramped up in those final hours, but for the most part, the volume increases were spread out over the final three days.
Even after the event, as people traveled back home, the traffic kept moving. This is in no small part due to the forethought of our district teams, who suspended construction and maintenance before, during, and immediately after the eclipse.
The public also made great use of ITD information available to them through various sources. More than 80,000 visitors came to the eclipse web page and traffic counts news story – that’s more views than all the other ITD website pages combined! There also were a near-record-breaking 160,800 visits to 511 through the website and mobile app, including 48,000 on Monday alone.
Special thanks goes to Roadway Data Manager Margaret Pridmore and the team that helped ITD gauge traffic hotspots.
"All of the heavy lifting was done by a couple awesome people who built and implemented a new piece of software and development a method for pulling incremental data from machines stationed all over the state," Pridmore explained. "Joann Auger worked on getting the data off the devices and troubleshooting along the way. Jack Helton backed her up while JR Wolters worked as our roving field tech. Chapman Munn wrote the scripts that made the data readable. None of this would've happened without them. They really deserve a major round of applause".
We have also received numerous notes from the public praising ITD’s work around the eclipse. Here are a few:
“Thank you for all of your efforts in keeping traffic flowing on Aug 21, 2017. Great job.” – Sarah from CA
“My family was in Idaho for the eclipse. We had checked your website for travel info several times in the days prior to our visit. It was very helpful, and thanks for suspending road construction at this busy time. We traveled I15 from Utah to Butte, and Highways 26 & 33 to Howe and Craters of the Moon, and then back to Utah on these same routes. Traffic was well managed and well patrolled. Kudos to everyone for a job exceptionally well done. “ – Lisa from UT
“Great job managing eclipse traffic.” – Emily from Kuna, ID
“Great job yesterday. We came down in the am from Montana on I-15 to Menan Butte area with no problem. Thanks for the extra potties across from the trailhead.” – Shelli from MT
Pictured below: Just before full totality hit in Horseshoe Bend.
Published 08-25-17