Wrong Way Driving Project Improves Safety at Freeway Ramps

Item #: 20230014

CONTACTS

Implementing Organization: Traffic & Safety
Implementation Lead: Adam Lough (design), Tyler Laing (construction & operations)
Development Team: Adam Lough, Robert Miles, Justin Wilstead, Tyler Laing, Lisa Zundel, Daniel Snell, Grant Farnsworth, Jamie Mackey, Mark Taylor

Article Written By: Matt Lazanich
Innovation Council Liaison: Matt Lazanich
Innovation Team Coordinator: Winston Inoway

STATUS

Implementation Date: Mar 14, 2023
Adoption Status: Fully Implemented
Adoptability Note: As of early 2023, WWD detection systems have been installed at 22 locations. What other locations could benefit from these systems?

APPLIES TO

Topic: Safety and Health
Organization(s): Incident Management, Traffic & Safety, Traffic Management Division
Job Role(s): Roadway Operations / IMT, Transportation Technician
Tags: highway transportation, labor costs, crashes, injuries, economic benefits, value of life, value of time, automation, intelligent transport systems ( ITS ), design, highway operations, ( traffic operations ), traffic safety > highway safety, trucking safety, quality of life

PROBLEM

Utah has seen an increase in wrong-way driving (WWD) crashes and fatalities over the last 12 years. These occur more frequently at night or early morning hours and are often severe due to head-on collisions at highway speeds. Law enforcement does their part to correct and apprehend wrong-way drivers, but many times they do not have enough notice to locate the vehicle before a crash occurs.

CHANGE

A WWD task force was created to learn about countermeasures and implement a pilot project to reduce wrong-way driving incidents. The task force tested a new system which includes a radar and high definition/infrared cameras, and a series of red “Wrong Way” warning signs equipped with high-intensity LED lights. When a wrong-way driver is detected by radar or cameras, the LED signs activate to alert the driver. If the vehicle continues going the wrong way, the system sends automated alerts to the UDOT Traffic Operations Center (TOC) and Utah Highway Patrol so the driver can be tracked and stopped as quickly as possible. The pilot tested the system at two locations: one at the southbound US-89 off- ramp and the other at the northbound Legacy Parkway off-ramp. During the testing phase, 21 vehicles were detected going the wrong direction and all drivers immediately turned around.

RESULT

With the successful pilot project, the task force identified and prioritized 20 other locations to implement the system. The Utah Transportation Commission approved funding to install these additional cameras and signs.The new system – one of the most advanced wrong-way driver detection and warning systems in the country – will help improve safety by alerting drivers who are going the wrong way and by speeding up the process for alerting the Utah Highway Patrol and UDOT when a wrong-way driver is detected.

IMPACT

BETTER MOBILITY

Fewer wrong-way driver incidents results in less traffic disruption

GOOD HEALTH

Early detection and warning of wrong-way drivers save lives and prevent serious injuries
The system is estimated to reduce crashes by 1.5 per year, resulting in an annual cost avoidance of $1.3 million dollars

CONNECTED COMMUNITIES

Law enforcement and traffic management are notified of a wrong-way driver and can respond much sooner

STRONG ECONOMY

Fewer WWD crashes reduce property damage and other negative impacts on the economy

EFFICIENCIES*

Cost Avoidance: $17,500,000 over 20 years (Mar 13, 2023 - Mar 13, 2043)
Benefit/Cost Ratio: 8:1

*Benefits are estimated net of initial and ongoing expenses. Savings are averaged over the expected benefit life of the innovation. See details.

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