Massachusetts is betting on sensors, LEDs, and alerts to stop wrong-way drivers. New detection systems can spot mistakes before a crash ever happens. Officials say the technology already prevented one incident this week. Infrastructure plays a gigantic role in the way that we all navigate roads today. Most don’t think about it, but it affects speed, congestion, traffic, safety, and even driving direction. Now, Massachusetts is preparing one of the largest wrong-way driving prevention programs ever seen in America. It’ll use high and low-tech solutions to change more than 400 high-risk locations statewide. That leaves us with an awkward question. Why are so many roads confusing enough that this tech is necessary? The announcement comes after several high-profile fatal crashes, including one that claimed the life of Massachusetts State Trooper Kevin Trainor. State officials say wrong-way crashes remain relatively uncommon, but when they happen, the results are often catastrophic. The wildest part might be that we’re not talking about impaired drivers but rather plenty of everyday citizens making a wrong turn. Sensors That Catch The Mistake Early That’s why Massachusetts plans to spend between $50 million and $75 million deploying new prevention and detection systems at more than 400 locations statewide while targeting more than 500 high-risk sites overall. The high-end tech will include thermal sensors that monitor highway ramps. Read: Wrong-Way BMW Driver Takes Out Multiple Cars In Mass. When the sensors detect a vehicle going the wrong way, they can immediately flash signs meant to alert the driver that they’ve made a wrong turn. The systems will also send real-time alerts to transportation officials and law enforcement, potentially reducing response times when a driver ignores the warnings. According to state officials who spoke to WBUR, a similar system already appears to be working. One driver reportedly turned around without incident after triggering the warnings in Danvers earlier this week. But the technology is only one part of the plan. Low-Tech Fixes Do The Rest Massachusetts also intends to install additional WRONG WAY and DO NOT ENTER signs, improve pavement markings, add directional arrows, enhance lighting, realign curbs and traffic islands, reconfigure ramps, improve channelization, and redesign interchanges with a history of wrong-way incidents. Rhode Island has a similar program in place and has reportedly seen wrong-way incidents decrease. It’ll be months if not years before Massachusetts finishes its program and we see if it makes a dent. The state’s broader plan could just end up teaching others a valuable lesson. Sometimes the best way to prevent wrong-way driving isn’t to try to catch the driver after it’s begun, but rather, to design the roadways so that they aren’t confusing enough that this tech is needed in the first place. Lead screenshot Google Maps
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