News Summary
A new wrong-way detection system is being installed at Exit 41A off Interstate 95 North in Rhode Island to enhance safety for motorists. Set for installation on July 30 and 31, this advanced technology features flashing alerts to warn drivers entering the highway incorrectly. The initiative aims to reduce incidents and notify authorities promptly. Over 30 similar systems have been established in the state, showcasing a commitment to highway safety amidst concerns about previous crashes. This proactive measure is expected to contribute positively to reducing wrong-way driving incidents.
Pawtucket, Rhode Island — A new wrong-way detection system is set to be installed at Exit 41A off Interstate 95 North to enhance highway safety for drivers. This advanced detection technology will feature flashing alerts specifically designed to warn motorists entering the highway in the wrong direction and will serve as a proactive measure rather than a response to recent accidents.
The installation will take place on the nights of July 30 and 31, from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., during which Exit 41A will be closed to traffic. Drivers are advised to utilize Exit 41B (School Street) for detours, with appropriate signage to guide them through the temporary changes.
This detection system operates on a risk-based model. Once a wrong-way driver is detected, the system immediately notifies the Rhode Island State Police, facilitating quick response efforts. The system is similar to those implemented in over 30 locations across Rhode Island in the last decade, demonstrating the state’s ongoing commitment to reducing the number of wrong-way driving incidents.
There has been a significant concern regarding the geometry of the ramp at Exit 41A, prompting the state’s Department of Transportation (RIDOT) to act. Previous data indicate that between 2008 and 2015, 34 crashes attributed to wrong-way drivers occurred, leading to 13 fatalities. Meanwhile, since the installation of detection systems, there have been about 900 alerts, but only two incidents involving crashes have been reported — one resulting in an injury and the other a fatality.
The technology, which employs a radar system to identify wrong-way drivers, activates flashing “WRONG WAY” signs to prompt drivers to correct their course. In instances where the system detects wrong-way driving, RIDOT is able to modify messages displayed on freeway signs to alert nearby drivers, though this feature has not yet been deemed necessary. Furthermore, the system has led to approximately 850 successful activations since its introduction in 2015, allowing many drivers to self-correct their direction and mitigates the risk of accidents.
The cost of implementing the detection technology has increased significantly, from approximately $25,000 in 2015 to an estimated $75,000 today. The RIDOT has plans for additional installations along several off-ramps on Route 146, stemming from an ongoing reconstruction project aimed at further enhancing highway safety.
Overall, the introduction of the wrong-way detection system is an essential step in improving safety measures, potentially preventing future wrong-way driving incidents. With proven effectiveness from existing systems in various locations, officials are hopeful that the Exit 41A installation will contribute positively to the safety of highways in Rhode Island.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- WPRI: RI Sees Sharp Drop in Wrong-Way Crashes
- Wikipedia: Wrong-Way Driver
- Providence Journal: Wrong-Way Alert System
- Google Search: Wrong-Way Detection System
- WPRI: Wrong-Way Crashes Deaths Plummet
- Google Scholar: Traffic Safety Systems
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Traffic Safety
