By Samantha Valentino
Published: Aug. 27, 2024 at 4:45 PM EDT
LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT)—A project to prevent wrong-way crashes in Kentucky has been in the works for more than two years.
The Wrong-Way Driving and Integrated Safety Technology System will deter and detect wrong-way drivers on the interstate. The pilot program begins on Sunday.
Wrong-way crashes are a big issue in Kentucky. According to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, there have been 216 crashes involving wrong-way drivers across the state since 2015. Those crashes killed 69 people and left 80 with serious injuries. So far this year, there have been 13 wrong-way driver incidents statewide, according to KYTC. Those have killed six people and seriously injured three others.
“Wrong-way driving is certainly a concern, and we do everything we can in the cabinet to enhance and improve safety,” said PIO for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Department of Highways District 7, Natasha Lacy.
In 2021, Kentucky was one of 10 grant recipients from the Federal Highway Administration’s Advanced Transportation and Congestion Management Technologies Deployment program. Ten states were awarded grants totaling $45.2 million for projects using advanced intelligent transportation systems technologies to improve mobility and safety.
Kentucky received $5.14 million in federal funds to improve interstate highway safety through innovative solutions to prevent wrong-way crashes. Governor Andy Beshear announced Kentucky’s Wrong-Way Driving and Integrated Safety Technology System in February. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet awarded the project contract, which is estimated to cost up to $9.5 million when complete. The federal grant partially funded the project.
Fayette and Jefferson counties were selected to participate in a three-month pilot program for the project.
“Because those are the areas where there has been the highest level of wrong-way driving,” said Lacy.
The first five locations will include testing multiple Wrong Way Driving and Mainline Monitoring vendors to check their product’s accuracy, reliability, and interoperability with existing systems.
After testing of the technologies is complete, the selected vendor(s) will be deployed across multiple locations:
- Fayette County: New Circle Road/Kentucky Highway 4 from Newtown Pike to Richmond Road
- Fayette County: I-75/I-64 from Newtown Pike to the Southern Split
- Fayette County: I-75 from the Southern Split to Clays Ferry Bridge
- Jefferson County: I-264 from I-64 to I-65
- Jefferson County: I-64 from the Ohio River to Pee Wee Reese Road
- Jefferson County: I-65 from the Ohio River to Kentucky Highway 1065 (Outer Loop)
The KYTC says this program is unique to Kentucky. The system is made up of four different elements.
The detection system identifies wrong-way incidents and other safety concerns in real-time. The KYTC says this system will utilize different vendors, each one unique. Some will use cameras integrated with video analytics software that can detect when a car is driving in the wrong direction. Others may use movement detection technology such as radar or LiDAR.
The deterrent system activates warnings to discourage the wrong-way driver. Then, the alert system notifies other drivers of the wrong-way driver, while also notifying first responders of the wrong-way driver’s location. The KYTC says they are currently still working on how other drivers will be alerted. No final decision has been made.
“The faster we get notification that there’s a car going the wrong way, the faster that we can hopefully get there, dramatic improvement in public safety,” said Lt. Chris Van Brackel with the Lexington Police Department.
While the KYTC says they have not field-tested all the devices, most they encountered in a preview have alerted other drivers of a wrong-way driver instantly. As for alerting first responders, the KYTC explains there is a slight delay in the alert reaching the Traffic Operation Center. However, they say the time it takes to alert first responders has been measured within seconds rather than minutes.
“That has been measured, actually, at this point in seconds, and we will continue to investigate that too as well, to make improvements as we move along with this project,” said Lacy.
The mainline monitoring system identifies other safety concerns, such as pedestrians, debris, and disabled vehicles. Similar to the detection of a wrong-way driver, this system will vary in method. Some will use video with computer analytics, while others may utilize LiDAR. The KYTC says these systems will use AI to sense when a condition changes from “normal.”
Existing digital and roadway signage will be integrated into a comprehensive system, including additional signs, cameras, sensors, and other equipment purchased with the grant funds. Final locations were identified based on crash history and ramp design on interstate ramps in Fayette and Jefferson counties as most wrong-way crashes occur in these areas, with the potential to expand to other counties throughout the state.
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