ARDOT posts traffic plan for the April 2024 solar eclipse

An estimated 2 million people will drive in and around Arkansas on April 8, 2024, to see the total solar eclipse. Such movement will result in an estimated 700,000 extra vehicle trips, according to a traffic management plan from the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT).

When the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth on April 8, a 117.9-mile-wide “shadow” will move northeast from the southwest corner of Arkansas at around 1:46 p.m. and exit the state around 2 p.m. near Pocahontas. The period of darkness for any location is estimated to last around 4 minutes. According to NASA, the next total solar eclipse to travel across the contiguous U.S. will be on Aug. 23, 2044.

“We expect a heavy influx of visitors to our state to view this rare phenomenon, and we’re preparing accordingly,” ARDOT Director Lorie Tudor noted in the report posted Monday (Dec. 18). “Our goal is to get everyone where they need to go as safely and efficiently as possible.”

ARDOT used data from states in the path of the 2017 total solar eclipse and state park reservation data for the upcoming eclipse to develop its traffic management plan. The plan includes traffic forecasting data, traffic reduction strategies, and traffic flow enhancements. The traffic reduction strategies include working from home, school closings, and working with trucking companies to reduce or redirect freight traffic. (Link here for a PDF of the 18-page ARDOT plan.)

Following are other traffic and response details from the ARDOT plan.
• Up to 1.5 million people are expected to travel from outside the state, along with 500,000 Arkansans who will travel from their residences to the path of totality, for a total of two million people who will visit the viewing area.

• ARDOT assumed that all visitors would travel in motor vehicles and an average of 2.862 passengers would travel in each vehicle. This would result in the influx of approximately 700,000 extra vehicle trips into the path of totality.

• ARDOT will coordinate with other agencies and officials at the state, county, and local levels before, during, and after the eclipse to ensure consistent messaging and communication is provided to citizens and visitors.

• ARDOT plans to work with the Arkansas Trucking Association to encourage truckers to adjust their travel schedule so they are not trapped on the roadways with Eclipse-related traffic.

• Data from the 2017 eclipses showed that approximately 30% of the sightseers arrived on the day of the event, and up to 80% left immediately after sunlight returned. That pattern is expected for the 2024 eclipse.

“By staying in Arkansas longer, travelers can avoid extreme congestion, and congestion levels for those who need to leave will be moderated. Extended stays also provide more opportunities for Arkansas businesses. Arkansas State Parks are already planning to continue their festivals after the Eclipse is over. Promoting activities hosted by the State Parks and other festival locations that encourage tourists, especially those in RVs, to stay longer will be beneficial to reduce the concentrated traffic demands,” noted the ARDOT report.

Link here for more info from NASA on the 2024 eclipse.