The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials presented the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) with two innovation awards this week at the organization’s spring meeting.
NCDOT was awarded for an artificial intelligence safety tool, which was a pilot program NCDOT initiated, and the world’s first superstreet interchange.
The AI tool, FYLD, was introduced to enhance safety. Traditionally, employees at a job site wrote hazards down on paper. The tool allows employees to take a picture or short video using an iPad and upload them to the app. The tool then notifies crews of the hazards within seconds.
Since the tool was implemented, the number of employees reporting power lines as a hazard has increased dramatically. More employees will be testing the tool this year.
NCDOT’s superstreet interchange at Interstate 85 and U.S. 64 in Lexington opened in 2024 and carries approximately 13,000 vehicles daily. The superstreet design, also called a reduced conflict intersection, eliminates direct left turns from offramps. Drivers only can turn right or make a controlled U-turn at designated crossovers. This reduces conflict points and improves traffic flow.
Since the interchange opened, the number of crashes has declined 40 percent, and there have been no angle crashes. Travel time through the interchange also has shortened.