ODOT implements weather-activated speed signs

Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) has implemented digital variable speed limit signs over a thirty-mile stretch of Interstate 84 between Baker City and La Grande, replacing the standard speed signs in that area. The new signs will use traffic, road, weather and visibility sensors to lower the legal speed limit when ice, snow, fog or a wreck ahead requires drivers to slow down. Along with identifying the current legal speed limit, the digital displays can also show the reason for a reduced speed,
November 18, 2016 Read time: 2 mins
5837 Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) has implemented digital variable speed limit signs over a thirty-mile stretch of Interstate 84 between Baker City and La Grande, replacing the standard speed signs in that area.

The new signs will use traffic, road, weather and visibility sensors to lower the legal speed limit when ice, snow, fog or a wreck ahead requires drivers to slow down. Along with identifying the current legal speed limit, the digital displays can also show the reason for a reduced speed, such ‘ice’ or ‘low visibility’.

Roadside sensors feed temperature, visibility, road surface grip (traction), vehicle speeds and moisture levels data into the variable speed limit sign system measure. If a majority of cars and trucks are slowing down due to weather, poor road conditions, or a wreck ahead, the sensors can send a message to the signs to reduce the speed for all drivers. Likewise, when sensors detect poor traction, low visibility or other hazardous conditions, speed limits will be lowered and an appropriate warning message can be displayed. ODOT staff will also be able to manually adjust the speed limits, such as when a crash occurs or when construction activities require a slower speed.

“This section of freeway is positioned between the Eagle Cap and Elkhorn mountain ranges,” said ODOT Area Manager Ken Patterson. “This often creates microclimates with more severe weather patterns than adjacent sections of freeway.”

Ice, high winds with blowing snow, and limited visibility are some of the challenging conditions that catch motorists off-guard, resulting in a higher number of crashes than similar freeway sections.

“The idea behind these new signs is to warn motorists ahead of hazardous road conditions and get them to slow down before they enter a potentially dangerous situation,” Patterson said.
Air Quality & Weather Systems Urban Traffic Control

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Driving forward cooperative intersection safety applications
    July 24, 2012
    Gregory Davis, FHWA, John Harding, NHTSA, and Mike Schagrin, ITS Joint Program Office (RITA) chart the course for cooperative intersection safety applications being pursued as part of the IntelliDrive programme. Crashes at intersections accounted for 8,703 highway fatalities in the US in 2008. Research and development is moving forward on IntelliDriveSM safety applications designed to help drivers avoid intersection accidents. These new safety systems could substantially drive down the highway death and inj
    Read More
  • Substantial savings from smarter street lighting
    February 25, 2015
    As authorities strive to reduce expenditure and carbon emissions, Colin Sowman looks at some of the smart ways of managing street lighting while containing costs and maintaining safety. Street lighting can account for 40% of an authority’s energy consumption. So, faced with the need to reduce outgoings, some authorities are looking for smart ways of managing street lighting or even turning off swathes of street lights in the small hours. Back in 2008 the E-street Initiative report concluded that authorities
    Read More
  • Triplesign shines with low-power solution
    July 15, 2024
    Product is particularly suited to addressing growing issue of flooded road sections
    Read More
  • Q-Free adds weather info to Kinetic Mobility platform
    June 26, 2024
    New module gathers and tracks road condition data from weather stations
    Read More

Highlighted Content