COLUMBUS, Ohio — In a bid to enhance highway safety and prevent serious crashes, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) Director Jack Marchbanks introduced a groundbreaking initiative today. The initiative harnesses advanced technology to detect traffic congestion and alert drivers of potential hazards.
The state-of-the-art warning systems will be installed at 13 highway locations across major urban centers identified as high-congestion and high-crash areas by ODOT. Equipped with cameras, these systems will automatically trigger message boards several miles ahead to warn approaching drivers of impending traffic disruptions. Additionally, alerts will be disseminated through traffic apps such as OHGO.
Governor DeWine emphasized the importance of technology in enhancing highway safety, acknowledging that while these warning systems are effective, attentive driving remains paramount. The initiative specifically targets reducing deadly “end-of-queue” crashes, where drivers fail to recognize slowing or stopped traffic, leading to collisions with vehicles ahead.
According to ODOT, end-of-queue crashes have seen a concerning uptick, totaling 8,811 in 2023 alone. With the deployment of these warning systems, ODOT anticipates a significant reduction in rear-end crashes by at least 16%, potentially preventing around 1,400 crashes annually.
The first of these automated traffic queue warning systems was activated today on I-70 westbound at State Route 310 in Licking County, near the site of a fatal rear-end crash in November 2023. All 13 sites were carefully selected based on criteria including traffic congestion and crash severity.
These warning systems utilize technology akin to ODOT’s existing wrong-way driver detection systems in Cincinnati, Dayton, and Columbus, which have already detected nearly 300 wrong-way drivers.
ODOT Director Marchbanks expressed pride in Ohio’s leadership in deploying such resources and stressed that combined with Ohio’s strengthened distracted driving laws, these systems will undoubtedly save lives.
Recent data from the Ohio State Highway Patrol indicates a positive trend, with over 15,500 fewer crashes in 2023 compared to 2022, and approximately 46,500 fewer crashes compared to 2019, partially attributed to the enforcement of distracted driving laws.
Colonel Charles A. Jones, Ohio State Highway Patrol superintendent, underscored the collective effort in promoting road safety and reducing serious crashes.
ODOT estimates that all 13 warning systems will be operational within two years, factoring in the time required for necessary infrastructure installations. Moreover, ODOT is actively exploring additional highway locations statewide that could benefit from this innovative technology.
