Making highways high-tech

Iria · Nov 2, 2005, 06:11 PM

Marilyn Hosfeldt headed home one recent night on Interstate 280 about 8:30 p.m., her mood cheerful after an evening at choir practice.

Without warning, her trip turned sour.

The large highway message sign near Magdalena Avenue offered no clue as to the mess ahead as she veered onto Highway 85. A five-car crash; one overturned. All lanes except one shut down. Traffic at a dead halt. No way to exit at Stevens Creek. Time to cover 1 1/2 miles: 40 minutes.

"Why didn't the sign on I-280 warn cars that the 85 freeway was blocked by a major accident, and alternative routes were advised?'' fumed Hosfeldt, 70. "Isn't that why they are there?''

High-tech warnings that can ease traffic delays are woefully lacking in California, say experts ranging from Caltrans Director Will Kempton to motorists like Hosfeldt. But as San Francisco prepares to host a worldwide conference on intelligent traffic systems advances next week the focus is turning away from widening freeways and expanding transit to gizmos to help drivers avoid collisions and keep them posted on conditions ahead.
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Read More / Source: SBC Yahoo! News

calidan · Nov 2, 2005, 11:16 PM

I've heard Boston has some of the most High-Tech Highways. They supposdly have cameras in the tunnels with people watching for accidents and breakdowns. The people then radio the police or whoever is needed and then they get the situation cleared. The operators also can interrupt peoples radios in the cars and notify them of serious accidents while they are in the tunnels.

Iria · Nov 2, 2005, 11:25 PM

I've noticed that most of the message signs in my area are used for Amber Alerts or weather (slick roads) alerts ... or left blank.

SFOSOK · Nov 3, 2005, 03:30 AM

Yeah...Nothing is goin to help traffic delays until our state actually teaches us how to drive...

Nov 2, 2005, 06:11 PM	#1
Iria DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 7,275 Rep Power: 87	Making highways high-tech Marilyn Hosfeldt headed home one recent night on Interstate 280 about 8:30 p.m., her mood cheerful after an evening at choir practice. Without warning, her trip turned sour. The large highway message sign near Magdalena Avenue offered no clue as to the mess ahead as she veered onto Highway 85. A five-car crash; one overturned. All lanes except one shut down. Traffic at a dead halt. No way to exit at Stevens Creek. Time to cover 1 1/2 miles: 40 minutes. "Why didn't the sign on I-280 warn cars that the 85 freeway was blocked by a major accident, and alternative routes were advised?'' fumed Hosfeldt, 70. "Isn't that why they are there?'' High-tech warnings that can ease traffic delays are woefully lacking in California, say experts ranging from Caltrans Director Will Kempton to motorists like Hosfeldt. But as San Francisco prepares to host a worldwide conference on intelligent traffic systems advances next week the focus is turning away from widening freeways and expanding transit to gizmos to help drivers avoid collisions and keep them posted on conditions ahead. ____________ Read More / Source: SBC Yahoo! News

Nov 2, 2005, 11:16 PM	#2
calidan Frozen in Carbonite Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 1,409 Rep Power: 57 System Specs	I've heard Boston has some of the most High-Tech Highways. They supposdly have cameras in the tunnels with people watching for accidents and breakdowns. The people then radio the police or whoever is needed and then they get the situation cleared. The operators also can interrupt peoples radios in the cars and notify them of serious accidents while they are in the tunnels. __________________ Steam Community :: ID :: calidan "Don't try to be like Jackie. There is only one Jackie.... Study computers instead." - Jackie Chan

Nov 3, 2005, 03:30 AM	#4
SFOSOK 939 Goin Strong Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Ontario Posts: 7,033 Rep Power: 89 System Specs	Yeah...Nothing is goin to help traffic delays until our state actually teaches us how to drive... __________________ Warning - Explicit Content Preceeding METAL!!

Nov 2, 2005, 11:25 PM	Thread Starter #3
Iria DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 7,275 Rep Power: 87	I've noticed that most of the message signs in my area are used for Amber Alerts or weather (slick roads) alerts ... or left blank.