Rules of the Road

Roadway Maintenance

The Maricopa County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) is responsible for preserving and maintaining the County’s transportation investment. This includes maintenance of roadways, medians and shoulders, bridges and culverts, guardrail, street signs and traffic signals.  

MCDOT maintained roadways

The Road Information Tool Opens a New Window.  informs residents if their street is maintained by MCDOT. Viewers may choose to add layers to show additional roadway details including roadway classification, municipal annexation and subdivision information.  A user guide is available in the “About” section on the right side of the map program.

Reporting potholes, damaged signs or other roadway maintenance concerns

MCDOT takes pride in keeping the county’s roadways well maintained.  Residents can help us by reporting roadway maintenance concerns using Notify MCDOT.

Residents can report:

• Potholes
• Damaged street signs
• Damaged traffic signals
• Damaged sidewalk panels
• Roadway flooding or storm damage
• Other roadway maintenance concerns

Request roadway maintenance by using Notify MCDOT. 

Preserving pavement 

The effects of weather and traffic on a roadway can cause even the most well-designed and constructed roadway to deteriorate over time.

MCDOT maintains its paved roadway network through a Pavement Management Program which identifies preservation treatments needed to prolong the life of the road by sealing cracks and waterproofing surfaces.

These treatments include:

• Crack Seal
• Micro Seal
• Preservative Seal
• Slurry Seal
• Chip Seal

Prior to performing pavement maintenance, residents will receive a color-coded notice informing them that pavement maintenance will be taking place and what they can expect. 

More information about the different types of pavement preservation is available on our Pavement Page.

Traffic control signs and pavement markings

MCDOT adheres to the guidance of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) Opens a New Window.  for the placement and use of signage on roadways and pavement markings.  MCDOT will review requests for an evaluation of traffic control signs and pavement markings. Requests may be made through the “Contact Us” form.  

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Traffic signal timing and operations

Traffic signal timing programs set the timing of red, yellow and green lights at a signalized intersection in a manner that allows the signal to keep traffic moving safely and efficiently.

Traffic signal operations, including timing, are based on engineering studies. These studies are conducted on a regular basis and consider traffic patterns, volumes and crash data to set timing patterns.

Traffic signal timing studies take many factors into consideration when setting a signal timing pattern for an individual intersection.  These factors include:

• Traffic patterns: Many intersections see periods of time in the morning and evening “rush” hours where traffic patterns may be different than at other times of the day.
• Volume:  The number of vehicles traveling in each direction will influence how much time a signal will give to any particular direction of travel.
• Reported crash history:  Engineers will consider reported crashes at the intersection as well as what may have caused the crash, if known, and other safety factors.    

MCDOT uses three types of timing systems at it signalized intersections.

• Free/Uncoordinated Operation: Vehicle demands dictates the amount of green time a movement receives. Each signalized intersections operates independently and no traffic signal synchronization is provided along roadways.
• Coordinated Operation: Coordination patterns are developed by traffic engineers to platoon groups of vehicles through a series of signalized intersections to provide smooth flow and progression/signal synchronization along roadways in order to reduce travel times, number of stops and delay.
• Adaptive Signal Control Operation: Advanced traffic signal system software along with vehicle detection systems are used to adjust green light durations, when the green light turns on, and the sequencing of the movements based on the demands in real-time while providing signal synchronization. The green duration and when the left-turn arrow comes up can be different each rotation keeping the motorist on their toes as the system adjusts the traffic signal timings in real-time based on movement demands. It is not unusual for a left-turn arrow to come up twice in one rotation.

MCDOT will review requests to evaluate a traffic signal’s timing patterns. Requests may be made through the “Contact Us” form.  

Roadway drainage

MCDOT may utilize drainage structures including basins, channels, culverts and storm drains to remove water from roadways. The use of these structures is based on an engineering study which considers water source, natural flow and roadway operations. MCDOT only maintains drainage structures within its right of way to ensure they are free from debris and that water can flow freely.

Residents may report drainage concerns using the online “Contact Us” form  Opens a New Window. or by calling 602-506-6063.

Use of County Right-of-Way

The Maricopa County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) is responsible for planning, designing, building, maintaining and operating the County’s roadway network.  This includes all work performed within the County’s right-of-way by third party contractors and property owners.

Signs in the right-of-way

Arizona State Law (ARS 16-1019) allows for the placement of temporary political signs in the right of way so long as the sign is not placed in a location that creates a hazard to public safety, obstructs clear vision or interferes with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Arizona State Law also prohibits the installation in the county right of way of any signs advertising the sale of an article, service or thing.

Driveway ramps

MCDOT does not permit the use of curb ramps or any other such device within County right of way. Curb ramps placed in MCDOT’s right of way are an unauthorized use of County right of way and are not allowed and must be removed. Homeowners who use these devices bear all responsibility and liability for their use.

Getting a permit

MCDOT requires a permit for any activity to occupy, use or construct improvements within County right-of-way.  This ensures   new improvements are built to County standards and that the safety requirements are met.

Common reasons to obtain a permit include:

• Constructing a driveway, sidewalk, curb or gutter
• Constructing water, gas or sewer pipelines
• Installing irrigation
• Installing structures, such as mailboxes, fences or landscaping
• Special events

Permit applications and more information is available on the MCDOT Permitting page.