Rhode Island installs wrong-way driver alert system
First published in The Global Road Safety Review 2015 as Detection system alerts wrong-way drivers
The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) is installing advanced wrong-way driving detection systems at 24 locations across the state. The systems will both alert a driver who is travelling in the wrong direction as well as notify police and other motorists in the area of a potential wrong-way driver.
The new detection systems will sense if a driver has entered a highway off-ramp and activate a series of flashing signs. It will also notify the Rhode Island State Police that someone is driving the wrong way on the road, take a picture of the vehicle and display a message on overhead electronic message signs to warn other drivers in the immediate area.
In addition to the 24 detection systems, wrong-way signage and striping have been upgraded at 145 locations (more than 200 actual ramps) across the state. Additional detection systems are being planned for a future phase of the project.
