“Any [transportation] fatality is just unacceptable… It’s ‘how do we get there?’ that’s the issue.”
That’s how Russ Holt, Principal Civil Engineer for the Rhode Island DOT, kicked off his talk about RIDOT’s experiences with wrong-way driving systems. The talk was part of the Eastern Transportation Coalition Web Summit about capturing and disseminating insightful data to travelers.
How RIDOT Reduced Wrong-Way Driving
Russ noted that rates of distracted, older and impaired drivers are trending upward, which contributes to the increase in wrong-way driving collisions and fatalities in recent years.
To reduce wrong-way driving in Rhode Island and save lives, the RIDOT safety team worked with state police in 2015 to identify where wrong-way driving citations were issued, as well as where wrong-way collisions occurred. Then, they made improvements to static signage and markings in those high-risk locations.
While those improvements had a positive impact, the team wanted to do more by leveraging intelligent solutions that provided active feedback to all drivers. The RIDOT safety team started by identifying a couple dozen pilot locations in limited-access areas, such as freeway exit ramps, that were excellent candidates for intelligent wrong-way driving solutions.
Specifically, the team was looking for three solutions:
- Flashing wrong-way signs to notify wrong-way drivers
- A web-based application to alert first responders of a wrong-way driver
- Existing changeable message signs to be integrated and configured to communicate with right-way drivers about an oncoming wrong-way driver
Wrong-Way Alert Systems
For the first solution, the RIDOT safety chose the TAPCO Wrong-Way Alert System. System components include a sensor (thermal or radar), a supporting white LED illuminator, a high-speed camera, an LED-enhanced warning device and a cellular modem or fiber connection.
Wrong-way alert systems are a popular wrong-way driving solution. They work by detecting wrong-way vehicles using a variety of methods. Detection of wrong-way vehicles then activates flashing LED-enhanced warning alerts, which command drivers’ attention and warn them they are traveling the wrong way.
Wrong-way drivers then have the opportunity to self-correct. After all, the goal of the system is to remediate the behavior before it progresses any further. Then, a high-efficiency LED illuminator and high-definition camera activate to provide high-quality visual verification of the wrong-way event.
If wrong-way drivers continue in the wrong direction past a pre-determined point, most wrong-way alert systems monitor them with thermal sensors and a high-speed camera, ensuring accuracy in all weather and light conditions. In addition, a high-priority alert is transmitted to agencies via cellular modem or fiber optic cable.
The RIDOT safety upgraded from radar to FLIR thermal detection at troublesome locations, such as partial cloverleaf interchanges, to reduce false positives.
Cloud-Based Event Management Software
To alert TMC operators and authorities of a wrong-way driver, the team chose BlinkLink® traffic device-monitoring software, powered by TAPCO. BlinkLink® enables RIDOT officials to manage, schedule, control and monitor its systems remotely from any web-enabled device. Securely connected through reliable cellular or fiber networks, BlinkLink® collects real-time data and sends out voice, email and SMS event alerts to pre-determined recipients. Users can easily program and view the status of every system, analyze system activation trends and generate custom activation reports.
The RIDOT safety preferred BlinkLink® over an advanced traffic management system (ATMS) integration because it is turnkey and RIDOT does not yet have a true ATMS.
“[BlinkLink®] does a lot of things,” Russ said. “It allows you to manage the devices you have, manage the events. It actually sends the alerts and tracks the alerts. It’s a helpful tool. We’re not always in the office, so you can be remote…and access it.”
Results of Wrong-Way Driving Reduction Efforts
According to Russ, the project has been incredibly successful. Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) funding covered most of it, and system performance has been excellent.
Fatalities went from eight in the 5.5. years before installation to zero in the 5.5 years since, and collisions went from 16 to 3.
“If your state hasn’t used these systems, we would encourage considering it if you have a problem with wrong-way driving,” Russ said.
Preventative maintenance is also a critical part of RIDOT’s wrong-way driving reduction plan. All detection systems are inspected, tested and recertified annually to ensure system uptime and optimize preparedness for future events. Essentially, the preventative maintenance program increases RIDOT’s return on investment, extends the systems’ warranties and maximizes safety.
Looking Ahead
RIDOT plans to build a more comprehensive ATMS down the road, integrating the TAPCO Wrong-Way Alert Systems and BlinkLink® into their platform. This is possible due to the application programing interface (API) integration offered by TAPCO that streamlines system-to-ATMS communication. In addition, RIDOT plans to send wrong-way driving alerts directly to road users one day using connected vehicle technology.
“Safety’s number one,” Russ said. “You [prevent] one fatal crash, and the Feds may value that at three-point-something million, but we all know it’s priceless to the family and friends.”
Discover more information about the TAPCO Wrong-Way Alert System here >
Kate Bert
TAPCO | Product Manager
Kate is a wrong-way alert and overheight warning systems expert dedicated to providing customers with innovative products, knowledge and guidance.
She has extensive experience in engineering, operations and product management and is passionate about collaborating with the team to develop lifesaving solutions to ensure safe travel for all users.