Speedway delivering on traffic improvements
“This is huge," Curtis said following the race. “I ran into many people throughout the weekend who specifically said they stopped coming to Michigan International Speedway because of traffic. But they decided to give us another chance because they heard it was better, and I am proud and excited to say that it is.
“We delivered in less than two hours."
Track officials work with MDOT and officials from the surrounding townships to implement the traffic patterns to ensure guests arrive at and leave Michigan International Speedway quickly.
MDOT and MIS studied the traffic patterns extensively over a six-month period in late-2006 to come up with a new plan. The Michigan State Police, POCO, Inc., a traffic control device company, and township law enforcement agencies also worked with the speedway to implement the changes.
Finally, the speedway’s operations staff and parking supervisors coordinate it all with the help of countless volunteer groups from the surrounding communities.
Curtis said the emphasis to fix traffic highlights the racetrack’s continued commitment to the fans. The speedway has surveyed some 15,000 fans over the past two seasons, many of whom have commented that traffic needed to be addressed.
“Traffic affects every single person who comes to Michigan International Speedway, so I can’t emphasize how important a successful traffic plan is," Curtis said. “It is a priority to get all our race fans in and out of the speedway quickly, safely and effortlessly because the experience here is doorstep to doorstep."
Curtis said he and his staff will continue working with all the agencies and area law enforcement groups to continue working on ways to improve traffic flow for future speedway events.