Skip to main content

NDoT bets on AMS to help Vegas traffic flow

Nevada Department of Transportation (NDoT) has installed 42 active traffic management signs (AMS) in Las Vegas to provide real-time information to drivers on crashes.
By Ben Spencer April 21, 2020 Read time: 2 mins
Predicting journey times can be a gamble in Las Vegas (© Valentin Armianu | Dreamstime.com)

NDoT says the LED signs will also provide information about speed limit changes and lane restrictions, thereby improving safety and traffic flows by reducing differential travel speeds and the likelihood of secondary crashes.

The signs have been installed along the north and southbound Interstate 15 between Russell Road and Washington Avenue as well as along US Highway 95 between Valley View and Las Vegas Boulevards as part of Project Neon. 

Variable speed limits located on the right of the sign override the typical speed limit to improve traffic flow through congested areas. 

On the left of the lane, the high occupancy vehicle (HOV) signs can be changed and opened to general traffic when at least two lanes of traffic are closed to help traffic flow around a crash or workzone. 

In this scenario, the HOV sign will display 'Open to All', which temporarily allows all vehicles to legally cross the double white line to use the HOV lane. 

Lane control arrows and 'X's located across the top of the sign structure will be activated based upon roadway conditions and traffic demands. 

A yellow 'X' with the word 'Caution' will be posted above the lane if a driver needs to proceed carefully while also displaying 'merge' if a motorist needs to prepare to merge due to a lane closing, the department adds. 

A red 'X' saying 'Closed' will be posted above the lane if it is off-limits to traffic. Once the lanes are available to drivers, a green arrow will display 'Open' above all lanes. 

 

UTC

Related Content

  • October 17, 2019
    How can US transportation be ‘re-envisioned’?
    In her address to this year’s ITS America Annual Meeting, congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, chair of the House Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, called for a ‘re-envisioning’ of transportation. Her speech is below – and ITS International asks a number of US experts what they would like to see ‘re-envisioned’…

    I would like to welcome  ITS America to the nation’s capital.

  • March 15, 2012
    Enforcement suppliers highlight industry best practice
    Major suppliers of enforcement technology highlight the countries, regions or cities that they consider to be leading the way in reduction of road traffic violations. The French government’s ambitious programme of enforcing traffic law violations has proven to be an unrivalled success and is continuing to bring improvements in road safety with innovative enforcement technology.
  • June 2, 2016
    Sorting myth from reality in vehicle automation
    Bob Denaro looks beyond the hype surrounding autonomous vehicles to the challenges that still need to be overcome. Automated vehicles (AVs) may be the perfect storm – in a positive way - with the automobile manufacturers, the government and consumers all embracing the emergence of a transformational new technology and product.
  • March 18, 2014
    Wider uses for weigh in motion data
    Colin Sowman talks to Terry Bergan of International Road Dynamics about the latest uses of weigh-in-motion systems. Raising allowable truck weight limits improve transport efficiency but leaves an ever-increasing number of bridges vulnerable to being overloaded and damaged by vehicles heavier, and in some cases far heavier, than they were designed to carry. The simplistic solution is to impose weight restrictions and erect appropriate signs - but this could have severe knock-on effect on trucking operations