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TAYLORSVILLE — Ten people were killed in wrong-way crashes across Utah last year, seven of which came in the first few months of the year.
That's among the scores of wrong-way incidents that didn't end in the worst possible outcome. This uptick ultimately inspired state transportation officials to test a new wrong-way driver detection warning and alert system in Davis County late last year, which proved to be successful enough that the Utah Department of Transportation says it is now implementing the system on freeway onramps across the state.
The agency announced its intentions to expand the program on Monday, calling it "one of the most advanced wrong-way driver detection and warning systems in the country." Its announcement comes after the Utah Transportation Commission approved a $2.5 million request on Friday that will help UDOT install the system at 20 new locations in its first expansion of the system.
"We're always looking at ways we can use technology to make our transportation system work better. This innovative system will help prevent wrong-way crashes, making our roads safer for everyone who uses them," said Robert Miles, UDOT traffic and safety director, in a statement Monday.
The system uses radar and cameras that detect when a vehicle is traveling in the wrong direction. This immediately activates LED signs by an offramp that the driver is traveling in the wrong direction, while also sending an alert to UDOT Traffic Operations Center and Utah Highway Patrol troopers as a vehicle moves in the wrong direction.
The goal is to start installing new systems this spring, said UDOT operations director Troy Peterson, during Friday's meeting. Crews will continue work during the summer, though he said it's likely that not all 20 of the systems will be completed by the end of the year.
🗣️ New wrong-way driving technology is coming to a road near you.
— Utah DOT (@UtahDOT) February 13, 2023
We're installing one of the most advanced wrong-way driver warning and detection systems in the country on Utah freeways.
Check it out in action. 👇 pic.twitter.com/WQB6WsmmrI
UDOT officials explained that they originally implemented a different wrong-way system in 2019 but reversed course when they learned of more effective technology on the market when speaking with other transportation officials across the U.S.
The agency began testing the new system on the northbound offramp at Legacy Parkway by the interchange with I-15, Park Lane and U.S. 89 in Farmington in the fall. The system detected and alerted nearly two dozen wrong-way drivers; all of the drivers turned around after seeing the signs light up during the test period, according to UDOT.
Officials revealed that they believe the new system matches up with the direction they'd like to go during Friday's meeting. It was pushed for by a UDOT and Utah Highway Patrol task force that reviewed traffic safety measures across the state last year.
"This is one of the items that came out of that task force," Pederson said. "This is the one we came up with to install."
They also used data to pinpoint the most frequent wrong-way access points as a starting point for the implementation. Salt Lake City accounts for most of the 20 "prioritized" freeway ramps where the technology will be implemented next; however, it will also be added to other Davis County freeway offramps, as well as ramps as far south as Cedar City.
The team determined that the offramp to northbound I-15 and eastbound I-80 at 600 South in Salt Lake City is the top priority. Other UDOT priorities include:
- I-15 northbound at 400 North in Bountiful.
- I-15 northbound and southbound at 200 North in Cedar City.
- I-15 southbound at 2100 North in Lehi.
- I-15 southbound at University Avenue in Provo.
- I-15 northbound at the 400 South HOV lane in Salt Lake City.
- I-15 northbound and southbound at 1300 South in Salt Lake City
- I-15 northbound and southbound at 2100 South in Salt Lake City.
- I-15 northbound at northbound and southbound West Temple in Salt Lake City.
- I-15 southbound at 2600 South in Woods Cross.
- I-80 eastbound and westbound at 700 East in Salt Lake City.
- I-80 eastbound and westbound at 1300 East in Salt Lake City.
- I-80 eastbound and westbound at State State in Salt Lake City.
Members of the commission approved UDOT's funding request unanimously on Friday. More ramps could be included after future funding becomes avialable.
