ADOT begins wrong-way vehicle detection project on I-17, closures set
ADOT has begun installation of the a wrong-way vehicle detection and warning system on Interstate 17, a system that will be the first in the nation.
ADOT crews begin digging a trench for installation of system components of a wrong-way vehicle detection project at Interstate 17 and Indian School Road. (Photo courtesy Arizona Department of Transportation)
(Photo courtesy Arizona Department of Transportation)
PHOENIX — Wrong-way driving in Arizona has been a big problem.
This year alone, there have been almost 1,000 incidents of wrong-way drivers on Arizona freeways, the Department of Public Safety reported in June.
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey called for action to limit wrong-way driving incidents, and the Arizona Department of Transportation is doing just that.
ADOT has begun installation of a wrong-way vehicle detection and warning system on Interstate 17, a system that will be the first in the nation.
It is a $3.7 million thermal-camera based project designed to immediately alert ADOT and the DPS if a wrong-way vehicle is detected along a 15-mile stretch of I-17.
ADOT is launching the project at I-17 and Indian School Road, with weekend closures set to help with installation.
Indian School Road will be closed in both directions at I-17 from 9 p.m. Friday to noon Saturday for the mounting of thermal cameras, installation of fiber-optic cable and rewiring of control cabinets in the area. Both off-ramps will also be closed at the same spot.
Future restrictions will be put into place at other I-17 interchanges between I-10 and Loop 101 over the next few months as the department tries to fight this issue.
Wrong-way driving accidents have killed and severely injured many in the area recently, including one near Sunset Point on Tuesday.
The thermal cameras will trigger a wrong-way sign with flashing lights aimed at getting the attention of the wrong-way driver. The cameras will also trigger freeway overhead message boards to notify travelers of a wrong-way driver, along with a specific location notification to state troopers so they can respond more quickly.
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Comments
4 Comments
First, we'll get America to put down its unquenchable thirst for alcohol,
then we'll work on stupid.
Many, I perceive, will be eternally lost and without hope.
Right on!
People whine about "stopping" drivers from getting on the wrong way.
That cannot, will not happen, no more than you can "stop" people from driving drunk.
Early detection is great as long as no crash occurs in the mean time.
What can we really do about it, except to make/shape/build exit ramps just so grossly exaggerated that it would be impossible to get on.
But how? You can't rebuild everything we have now.
"Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey called for action to limit wrong-way driving incidents, and the Arizona Department of Transportation is doing just that." Detection won't have an affect on limiting. You already have detection, like the possible victims dialing 911 and reporting the wrong way driver.
Closing Indian School Rd and the off ramps will have a more significant effect because for a short period of time, wrong way drivers will not have access to those points of entry.