- Snowplows in northern Utah will now get green lights at intersections using V2X, unveiled on Wednesday.
- Utah Department of Transportation's John Gleason says this technology improves safety and snow removal efficiency.
- The technology, serving 90% of Utah, may soon expand to other emergency vehicles.
SALT LAKE CITY — Snowplows in northern Utah no longer have to wait for red lights as new technology allows the plows to get green lights at every intersection.
Utah Department of Transportation spokesman John Gleason said the department had been installing V2X technology over the last several years. Now, all 259 plows in northern Utah have the tech and on nearly 1,275 lights. He said this keeps everyone on the road safer.
"In order for it to work, you have to have the technology equipped at the intersections there as well," Gleason said. "So you have the stationary ground equipment that communicates with the snowplow. And when it senses that the snowplow is approaching, it will turn that light green."
When fully deployed, the technology will serve more than 90% of the population with snow removal, according to UDOT.
"Getting the green light makes a night-and-day difference," said Codie Alsop, a UDOT snowplow driver. "We spend less time stopped at lights and more time actually clearing snow. During a storm, that matters."
Gleason said UDOT had been working to install the tech on traffic lights along roads that see the most snow.
"So if it's a road that we have concerns with plowing on, then we have that technology ready to go and it's going to mean safer roads for all of us," Gleason said.
"In a major storm, every second matters," said UDOT transportation technology engineer Blaine Leonard. "This technology serves as a digital seat belt, providing Utah drivers an unseen layer of protection while helping plows move through intersections faster so crews can clear roads more quickly."
Gleason said UDOT pioneered the technology, but this tech can be used for more than just snowplows.
"We've been working with fire departments, police agencies, UTA to give their official vehicles this clearance as well," Gleason explained. "These are all emergency response type vehicles, and it's important that they get to where they're going so that we can all be safer as a result."
Gleason said UDOT also spoke to other states about the technology as well.
"It's really sharing these ideas together that we've come this far," Gleason said. "And, the future is bright. It's exciting to see what can become of this technology."
When fully deployed, this tech will serve more than 90% of Utah's population, UDOT said.
