Motorists in the U.S. will be able to get through traffic jams faster this winter thanks to a new system that helps cities and states adjust to the changing weather.
The Federal Highway Administration is deploying a new traffic-management system that will give drivers the tools to react faster to road conditions and make better-informed decisions about when to turn right.
The system is part of the Federal Highway Safety Administration’s effort to increase vehicle efficiency, reduce accidents and help cities and towns cope with more extreme weather.
“We have this unique opportunity in this new environment of extreme weather to have a very effective tool to help reduce the number of crashes and fatalities,” said Michael O’Malley, the FHSA’s director of planning and research.
The system will be activated by a small vehicle on a grid of sensors on roads around the country, giving drivers a way to assess and change traffic flow in real time.
It will also make it easier for drivers to monitor road conditions through cameras and video cameras mounted on vehicles and fixed to a highway.
Drivers will also be able access information on road conditions via a web-based system, the Federal Transportation Administration said.
The new system, which was unveiled Monday, will use computer-controlled traffic cameras and sensors to collect data on road speed and visibility, the type of vehicle and the weather conditions.
A portion of the system will include a vehicle-specific weather data database, which will be shared with state transportation departments.
“These new systems will help cities, states and other jurisdictions build and deploy effective solutions that will allow for safe, efficient and safe highway travel,” O’Sullivan said in a statement.
The FHWA said it is also helping to create new opportunities for urban and rural communities to develop innovative traffic management programs.
It is also providing support to local jurisdictions that have adopted a number of community-oriented highway projects.