3 Speed Management
3.1.3 Dynamic Speed Warning System – Wyoming
Impetus for the Activity
The problem that sparked consideration of a technological treatment was a high frequency crash location. Wyoming DOT considered a technological treatment over a conventional treatment because traditional treatments do not adequately address the problem.
Criteria for System Selection (Hardware and Software)
This system was under development at the time this report was prepared. The vendor will most likely be selected on the basis of lowest system cost (including maintenance, upgrades, etc.), the vendor’s previous experience with similar systems, and the vendor’s past performance.
Description of the System
The system is in the planning/design stage, with installation planned for this year. The system is a dynamic speed warning system between Burgess Junction and Lovell on U.S. 14. The intent of the system is to provide additional warnings to mostly tourist RV traffic of severe grades with hard turns at the bottom of the grade. The system location is a remote mountain pass, with little or no power or communications infrastructure. The winter environment can be severe, with high snowfall accumulations, blowing snow, and sub-zero temperatures.
For inputs, the system will use vehicle speed and classification, with the potential for adding weather as an input in the future. Speed will likely be obtained using radar, with the vehicle classification input source yet to be determined.
The system will most likely be activated by oncoming traffic. The output will be a warning directed specifically at the driver of that vehicle. The warning will be displayed on a VMS. The output will only be displayed long enough for that particular driver to view the message. The warning is advisory, with the expected intent of providing increased safety for the traveling public.
Perceived “Hot Spots” for Rural ITS Deployment
Perceived “Hot Spots” for rural ITS deployment noted on the questionnaire included any isolated, known high-frequency incident location.
Obstacles and Lessons Learned
Obstacles noted include lack of power and communications.