Targeting areas with a history of deadly “end-of-queue” crashes, the new warning systems aim to address situations where drivers fail to recognize slowing or stopped traffic, resulting in collisions with vehicles at the rear of the slowdown.

“Although we’re confident that these warning systems will help prevent crashes, there is still no substitute for safe driving. For these signs to be effective, drivers must be paying attention,” said Governor Mike DeWine

ODOT reports a concerning increase in end-of-queue crashes, reaching 8,811 incidents in 2023. With the installation of these warning systems at all 13 locations, ODOT anticipates a significant reduction of at least 16%, translating to approximately 1,400 fewer crashes.

The first of these automatic traffic queue warning systems became operational last week on I-70 westbound at State Route 310 in Licking County, near the site of a fatal rear-end crash in November 2023 involving a charter bus carrying students.

The selection of all 13 sites was based on factors such as traffic congestion and the severity of rear-end crashes.

Employing technology similar to ODOT’s existing wrong-way driver detection systems in Cincinnati, Dayton, and Columbus, these warning systems have proven effective in identifying nearly 300 wrong-way drivers.

ODOT plans to activate the remaining 12 warning systems within the next two years, factoring in the time required for electrical and broadband infrastructure installation. Additionally, ODOT is exploring potential highway locations in other parts of the state that could benefit from similar safety enhancements.

Source: Overdrive

The post New Tech Could Warn Drivers About Upcoming Traffic Congestion and Slowdowns appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

Equipped with cameras, these sites will automatically detect slow or stopped traffic, triggering nearby message boards to alert approaching drivers about potential traffic hazards. In addition to on-site warnings, alerts will be disseminated through traffic apps like OHGO.

“As technology continues to evolve, we’re always looking for new ways to help prevent serious and fatal crashes on our highways,” DeWine said. “Although we’re confident that these warning systems will help prevent crashes, there is still no substitute for safe driving. For these signs to be effective, drivers must be paying attention.”

The primary goal of these warning systems is to address the rising number of “end-of-queue” crashes, where drivers fail to recognize slowing or stopped traffic, resulting in collisions at the tail end of the slowdown.

ODOT reported an increase in end-of-queue crashes to 8,811 in 2023. The introduction of technology at these 13 sites aims to decrease such crashes by at least 16%, anticipating a reduction of around 1,400 collisions. The first system was activated on I-70 westbound at State Route 310 in Licking County, a location associated with a fatal rear-end crash in November 2023.

The automated traffic queue warning systems share technology similarities with ODOT’s wrong-way driver detection systems in Cincinnati, Dayton, and Columbus. These existing systems have successfully identified nearly 300 wrong-way drivers, showcasing the effectiveness of such technology.

“I’m incredibly proud of the efforts our team has made to ensure Ohio is leading the way when it comes to deploying these new resources,” Marchbanks said. “These new warning systems, combined with Ohio’s toughened distracted driving laws, will surely save lives.”

ODOT is optimistic about the potential impact of these warning systems on road safety. The initiative aligns with efforts to mitigate distracted driving, with provisional crash data from the Ohio State Highway Patrol indicating a significant reduction in traffic crashes in 2023 compared to previous years.

“Education of distracted driving, along with this technology, will help achieve our mutual goals of increasing safety on our roads and reducing serious crashes,” said Colonel Charles A. Jones, Ohio State Highway Patrol superintendent. “We, as troopers, take it to heart that our job every day is to ensure that motorists make it home to their families, and we make it home to ours.”

While the full implementation of the automated warning systems at the remaining 12 sites will take approximately two years, ODOT is actively evaluating other highway locations in the state that could benefit from similar technology. This forward-looking approach reflects the state’s commitment to leveraging technology to enhance road safety and prevent avoidable accidents.

Source: The Trucker

The post New Tech in Ohio Warns Drivers of Traffic Congestion and Associated Dangers appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

This innovative service transmits alerts and advisories directly to telematics electronic devices, ensuring timely access to vital safety information. Drivewyze Free specifically aims to offer truckers traveling along North American freight corridors heads-up warnings for high-rollover risk areas, low bridges, mountain alerts (including steep grades, chain-up/brake check stations, and runaway ramps), and pertinent rest area details. Furthermore, the app features real-time message sets, incorporating warnings for sudden slowdowns, virtual safety signs, and public emergency broadcasts.

“This is a monumental day for our company, our safety partners, and the industry,” said Brian Heath, CEO of Drivewyze. “In collaboration with our telematics and transportation agency partners, we are excited to be giving this essential safety service to the trucking industry at no cost. There are no strings attached. We’re a safety-driven company joined by like-minded agencies and telematics partners to leverage vehicle-to-infrastructure networks to improve highway safety for everyone. We know many of our Essential Alerts and Advisories modify behavior – drivers slow down and apply less hard braking. It makes them safer behind the wheel. We’re hoping all fleets will utilize this free offering to give their drivers technology that can truly make a difference to their safety.”

When users use Drivewyze Free, they also have “access to agency-sponsored real-time traffic slowdowns and other safety alerts generated in partnership with select state transportation and enforcement agencies through the Drivewyze Smart Roadways highway safety program for connected trucks.”

Participating state departments of transportation, including New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Georgia, Delaware, Connecticut, Ohio, Texas, Arkansas, and Virginia, have already joined the initiative. Additionally, the Pennsylvania Turnpike, Colorado State Police, and Wyoming Highway Patrol are active participants.

Drivewyze expresses its eagerness to collaborate with more state transportation and enforcement agencies, aiming to expand the reach of this safety-oriented service. According to Heath, essential safety alerts and advisories play a pivotal role in cultivating safer roadways.

“Unsafe driving behavior is a leading cause of truck crashes,” he said. “Messaging delivered in the vehicle, where and when drivers need it most, shows the power of connected truck technology to positively affect driving behavior. For instance, when approaching a high-rollover area, we have data that shows our alerts have reduced speed by an average of 7.3 mph for those that are going more than 5 mph over the posted speed limit. That’s an impactful difference and an example of the power of in-cab messaging to improve driver behavior and highway safety.”

A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) study underscores the significance of such initiatives, revealing that nearly 30% of all collisions occur on interstates. Of particular concern are secondary incidents, where a tractor-trailer or car rear-ends a vehicle involved in the initial crash. The NHTSA study also highlights that 46% of these secondary crashes transpire over an hour after the first incident, emphasizing the need for proactive safety measures.

“Advance notice for routes experiencing sudden or unexpected traffic slowdowns gives truck drivers time to prepare,” Heath said. “In North Carolina, where we partnered with the North Carolina DOT, studies found that 70% of drivers that received an alert slowed down ahead of an incident. And the slowdown was significant — on average by 11 mph compared to 2 mph in a control group.”

With Drivewyze Free, the aim is clear: to empower truck drivers with the information they need to navigate the roads safely and prevent accidents on our highways.

Source: The Trucker

Image: Drivewyze

The post New, Free Safety Service App Released for Professional Drivers appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

Addressing this concerning trend, Drivewyze, a provider of safety technology solutions for fleets, now offers safety alerts through various platforms, including ELD, telematics devices, tablets, and smartphones. These alerts have proven effective in mitigating rollover- and speed-related accidents. Previously bundled with paid services, Drivewyze has taken a proactive step by introducing Drivewyze Free, a standalone version offering alerts and advisories at no cost to every commercial driver.

Drivewyze Free provides alerts based on data from Drivewyze and its partners, which include over 125 telematics providers, state departments of transportation, and industry partners like one.network, HAAS, and INRIX. According to Martin Murtland, Drivewyze vice president of product, these alerts have positively influenced driver behavior. Sudden slowdown alerts resulted in a 70% reduction in speed by an average of 11 miles per hour, and there has been a 10% to 16% decrease in hard braking events.

Among the alerts offered are low bridge warnings, credited with eliminating bridge strikes for Drivewyze users, and high rollover alerts. The latter has led to an average speed reduction of 7.3 miles per hour for those exceeding the posted speed limit by more than 5 miles per hour.

“I remember I was at a conference sitting beside a law enforcement officer from Omaha who said there’s this really bad corner that, every time there’s rain or the wind picks up, there’s inevitably a rollover crash at that area, but never once has there been (one involving) a Drivewyze truck,” Murtland said. “So really what we want is every truck to have that zero incident on a rollover event.”

Drivewyze CEO Brian Heath emphasizes the company’s commitment to improving highway safety by making Drivewyze Free widely accessible to drivers and fleets of all sizes.

“Our mission is zero crashes, zero fatalities,” he said. “We want to reach every truck driver and every fleet out there … so that folks can get access to these essential alerts and advisories, and then we can move the needle on highway safety.”

The alerts stem from two data sources: Drivewyze-sponsored data, including warnings for rollover risk areas, low bridges, mountain alerts, and rest area information, and state agency-sponsored data through the Drivewyze Smart Roadways program.

Participating state agencies, such as those in New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Georgia, Delaware, Connecticut, Ohio, Texas, Arkansas, and Virginia, sponsor exclusive alerts along specific traffic corridors. The Pennsylvania Turnpike, Colorado State Police, and Wyoming Highway Patrol are also involved, with plans to expand participation.

Alerts from state agencies cover various scenarios, including sudden slowdowns, unexpected slowdowns, active work zones, lane closures, service vehicles, virtual signs for road closures and detours, and emergency alerts.

“The important thing is we can impact driver behavior. If you can give a driver heads up to an upcoming potentially risky area, then that driver has time to react or to prepare,” Heath said. “There’s a high correlation between hard braking events and crashes, so if you can give the driver time to react, then then there’s going to be a reduction in speed, there’s going to be a reduction in hard braking events and that corollary impact on a reduced crash rate.”

Drivewyze Free users gain access to the Drivewyze Hub, a dashboard offering fleet managers visibility into the effectiveness of alerts provided to their drivers, along with insights and on-demand reports on various operational aspects. Heath assures that additional features and alerts will be continually added. Interested drivers and fleets can enroll in the free service through the Drivewyze website.

Source: Commercial Carrier Journal

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