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

  • Vaisala: Weather data is vital for connected vehicles
    August 26, 2016
    Vaisala’s Dr Kevin Petty explains why the weather will continue to play a big part in road safety and traffic management in the smart cities of the future. The world is becoming increasingly connected. Thanks to advances in information and communications technology, the cities we live in are becoming ‘smart’, with everything from education to law enforcement managed by integrated tech solutions in a bid to improve quality of life.
    Read More
  • Transport and technology innovation from South Australia
    September 7, 2016
    The Adelaide-headquartered Department for Planning, Transport and Infrastructure has partnered with Sydac and Sage Automation to showcase South Australian transport and technology innovation at the ITS World Congress Melbourne. Visitors to the stand (2213) will be able to try rail and bus training simulators, as well as check out Addinsight, a freeway and arterial road incident detection and congestion management system.
    Read More
  • Smoothing the path to reducing traffic pollution
    October 22, 2014
    David Crawford reviews a new approach to traffic smoothing. A key objective for the Californian city of Bakersfield’s upgraded traffic operations centre (TOC), which opened in June 2014, is to help improve living conditions in a region with one of the worst air quality problems in the US. The TOC is speeding up the smoothing of traffic flows by delivering faster and better-informed traffic signal retiming and synchronisation.
    Read More
  • RAC survey shows big safety gains with average speed enforcement
    January 11, 2017
    Cheaper and easier communications are providing authorities with new options for influencing driver behaviour. Colin Sowman reports. It’s official; Average speed cameras (ASCs) cut the number of fatal or serious injury crashes by more than a third.
    Read More

Highlighted Content