Wyoming’s Traffic Cameras Draw Global Attention
Key Takeaways
- Wyoming’s traffic cameras attract billions of viewers annually, offering real-time insights into road conditions and scenic routes.
- WYDOT uses high-tech webcams to support winter road maintenance, including plowing, sanding, and de-icing operations.
- Tourists and locals alike rely on these cameras for travel planning and to experience the state’s scenic highways.
Wyoming Traffic Cameras Gain Global Popularity
Wyoming’s traffic cameras are receiving international acclaim, attracting billions of viewers annually who want a glimpse of the state’s scenic roadways.
The Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) operates 226 web cameras that monitor roadways across the state around the clock. These cameras cover roads near 52 cities, and key stretches of Interstate 80 and Interstate 90, according to Cowboy State Daily.
In 2022, viewership reached 2.2 billion online views, prompting WYDOT to upgrade their servers and cameras in 2024. The new cameras capture images every five minutes, and viewers can browse live camera feeds directly on the WYDOT website.
Cameras Serve Drivers and Tourists
Local commuters use WYDOT traffic cameras to make informed travel decisions, such as checking whether mountain passes are open during snowstorms, as well as to monitor traffic. Tourists rely on the cameras to monitor weather conditions before exploring Wyoming highways and scenic byways.
There is also speculation about why the cameras have an international following, with some attributing it to Wyoming natives living abroad and others seeking the state’s unique natural vistas.
The “Teton Pass” camera in Jackson is the most viewed, likely due to its pivotal view of Wyoming’s mountainous roads and scenic landscapes.
Supporting Winter Maintenance and Transportation Operations
WYDOT’s webcams play a critical role in state transportation operations, aiding decision-making for plowing, sanding and de-icing during harsh winters.
According to Buckrail, the first WYDOT webcam was installed in the late 1990’s to support winter road maintenance crews. Initially intended for internal use only, officials quickly recognized the public benefits of live traffic feeds.
Maintaining Wyoming’s Traffic Cameras: Costs and Upgrades
Each camera weighs about 8 pounds and is mounted 25 to 30 feet above the roadway. WYDOT invests approximately $87,000 per year to maintain state-owned cameras, replacing about $25,000 worth of equipment annually. Contracted cameras cost an additional $183,000 per year, according to Buckrail.
Most of the cameras are AXIS Q6075-E PTZ Network Cameras, offering HDTV 1080p, 40x optical zoom, auto-tracking functionality and orientation aids for active object tracking — essential for winter traffic monitoring in Wyoming.
Older cameras are slated for replacement in the next few years. A new webcam costs $5,600, or $7,600 if replacing an existing unit, according to Cowboy State Daily.
Sources: Cowboy State Daily, Buckrail