APD keeps eye on F1 traffic from air

AUSTIN (KXAN) - On day two of the Formula One Grand Prix in Austin, traffic continues to move smoothly, said Austin Police Department's Air Support Unit, which has been keeping a bird's eye view on the roads.

• Photos: Bird's Eye view of F1 traffic
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"People are really doing a good job taking buses around here so I think that's really alleviating a lot of traffic concerns that people have," said Sgt. Ben Dranguet. "It's going very smooth. Of course tomorrow is going to be the real test, but as far as today, and we've been monitoring it since we came in at 8 o'clock, there hasn't been any major bottleneck."

Video from the air shows traffic congestion on FM 812 leading in and out of the Speedway, but all other major roads have been clear. The Air Unit is working directly with TXDOT and the city of Austin Emergency Operations Center by sending back live video feeds of traffic.

"We're looking for a lot of things, mainly congestion problems," said Senior Police Officer Tom Lopatowski. "Anything that would affect the safety in and out of the area- anything that would pose a threat to the crowd."

The crew noted Saturday that air traffic in Austin has been unprecedented during the F1 weekend.

"It's been extremely busy up here in the air," said Dranguet. "Austin has never seen this amount of traffic before as far as air traffic. But air traffic control is doing an excellent job on routing everybody and keeping everybody safe."

On the ground, officers believe people are heeding travel advice by using shuttle buses and staying off the roads when possible.

"Based on what we've seen, its been running very, very smoothly," said Dranguet. "Tomorrow is going to be the true test. We're going to extend our flight hours and fly wherever they need us."

Contra flow lanes on Pearce Lane between SH 130 and Kellam Road allowed for only eastbound traffic towards the COTA track before the practice rounds on Saturday and reversed direction after the event.

Drivers say officers directing traffic helped keep the commute as quick as possible.

“It was good the way they kept things moving,” said David O’ Brien. “I expect it to be busier on Sunday.”

CapMetro rail trains were also packed shoulder-to-shoulder on Saturday night as fans made their way downtown for the Fan Fest activities.

The metro rail will also be running Sunday services for the first time ever.

Attendance at the Circuit of the Americas Speedway Saturday was almost 83,000, but officials expect 120,000 for the main Grand Prix event Sunday.