Economic development, Wisconsin rest areas - Wisconsin Department of Transportation

Wisconsin's major rest areas provide many amenities to travelers on the state's highways. The rest areas and their facilities encourage road users not only to take needed rest breaks, but the travelers are provided the opportunity for meal breaks, toilet stops and driver changes. Generally a range of amenities are provided and can consist of separate areas for car and truck parking, landscaped surroundings, picnic tables, water supply, rest room facilities, litter bins, public telephones, pet walk areas and security lighting. Adequate shade is highly regarded and is conducive to effective rest breaks.

Rest areas and economic development

Many of the rest areas also serve as tourist information and promotional centers. At designated hours, tourist centers are staffed with knowledgeable volunteers that provide directions to area eating and lodging establishments as well as sites of interest. Maps and brochures are available to visitors to help travelers experience Wisconsin attractions.

Rest areas also serve as ambassadors of the state. The state's rest areas are often the first impression to an out-of-state visitor. The design and layout of the facility as well as the upkeep, cleanliness and other functioning amenities are important to travelers.

Through the Rest Area Maintenance (RAM) program, WisDOT contracts with 26 work centers throughout Wisconsin to provide custodial care, landscape maintenance, and minor repairs at 32 rest areas. These work centers are places that provide employment for people with disabilities. The RAM program employs some 400 disabled people to provide this service. Since these are mostly individuals who may otherwise not be able to find employment, WisDOT enhances economic development by providing gainful employment for them through the RAM Program. Employees have tremendous pride and even a sense of ownership in "their" rest areas.

Case study

Public comments gathered from customer comment cards indicate that Wisconsin's rest areas rated an overall score of 1.4 on a 5 point scale (1 = excellent) for the rest areas' parking lots, lobbies, rest rooms, picnic facilities, grounds and sidewalks. Rest rooms were the most frequently used facility (59%) followed by tourism materials (26%) and picnic areas (7.5%).

For more information, see WisDOT's rest areas and waysides Web page, or contact Rehabilitation for Wisconsin Inc. at (608) 244-5310.

Rest area near Beloit

Additional information about Wisconsin rest areas and their locations