The Arizona Department of Transportation’s Interstate 17 (I-17) wrong-way vehicle alert system has garnered recognition for its innovative impact.
Officials said the system has received GCN magazine’s Government Innovation Award, noting the information technology industry publication sought to recognize the system, which is being tested on 15 miles of I-17 and uses thermal cameras to detect and track wrong-way vehicles.
It also immediately alerts the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) and the Arizona Department of Public Safety.
“Too frequently we see reports of another death on our highways due to a wrong-way driver – often one impaired by alcohol or drugs,” Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey said. “Arizona has taken meaningful steps to crack down on wrong-way driving, and we are proud to lead the way among states for developing and testing measures that make our roads safer and protect innocent drivers.”
The system also allows ADOT to quickly warn other drivers about wrong-way vehicles via messages on electronic freeway signs.
The pilot project enables ADOT to evaluate how technology can be used to reduce the risks associated with wrong-way drivers before expanding it to other freeways, officials noted, adding Ducey has touted a new law mandating wrong-way drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol face felony charges.
“This technology so far has shown great promise,” Brent Cain, leader of ADOT’s Transportation Systems Management and Operations division, said. “With a commitment to helping every driver get home safely, our entire team has worked tirelessly to generate and research ideas and then design, implement and test this system.”
Thermal cameras have recorded more than 30 detections of wrong-way vehicles, mostly along I-17 off-ramps located within the project’s boundaries between the I-10 Stack interchange near downtown and the Loop 101 interchange in north Phoenix.