ST.
PAUL, Minn. - More rural areas of the state this summer are getting
intelligent transportation systems at high-risk intersections that will
help reduce crashes and improve safety, according to the Minnesota
Department of Transportation.
MnDOT
is installing the Rural Intersection Conflict Warning Systems at 54
high-risk locations around the state. The sites are ranked for factors
such as limited visibility before the intersection, whether there is a
railroad or commercial development close by, traffic volume, previous
crash history and distance on the road from the last stop sign.
The
systems are used at stop-controlled intersections to alert drivers when
vehicles are approaching the intersection. The system uses a
combination of traditional signing, flashing lights that turn on when
traffic is approaching an intersection and sensors that trigger the
lights to flash.
“The
system gives real-time warning to motorists approaching a stop sign
that there is traffic approaching and also warns drivers on the road
without the stop sign that a vehicle is stopped or entering the
intersection,” said Ken Hansen, RICWS project manager.
Motorists
on the major road will see a standard “Entering Traffic” sign, a “When
Flashing” sign and a flashing light as they approach and pass through
the intersection. The flashing light will only be lit when vehicles are
present on the minor road. Motorists on the minor road will see an
illuminated LED “Traffic Approaching” sign and “When Flashing” sign with
dual flashing lights. The dual flashing lights will only be on when
there is traffic approaching. The LED “Traffic Approaching” is
constantly illuminated.
He
said people tend to think there are fewer crashes in rural areas since
they aren’t as populated as urban areas, but about 66 percent of fatal
crashes in the state happen on rural roads. This is due to varying
terrain, inconsistent sightlines such as trees and vegetation near the
travel lanes, roadway skews and motorists driving at higher speeds.
“Injuries
in rural areas are usually serious injuries and fatalities,” Hansen
said. “Emergency response often takes longer because of the distance
between cities. We think these systems will make a difference in
reducing crashes and saving lives.”
In
2014, 324 fatal crashes occurred in the state and 214 of those were in
population areas of less than 1,000. The number of personal injury
crashes in population areas of less than 1,000 was higher than the
injuries in areas with populations of 250,000 and greater.
A
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration study found that 62
percent of crashes in rural stop-controlled intersections were caused by
drivers stopping and looking, but not seeing the other vehicle and
proceeding into the intersection. A MnDOT study found that 26 percent of
right-angle crashes at stop-controlled intersections were caused by
drivers failing to stop.
“Drivers
should always obey the stop signs as they approach an intersection, but
the added technology is designed to be an additional safety message,”
Hansen said.
A new MnDOT video shows drivers how the system works. View the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLAL10hTEXI
A new MnDOT video shows drivers how the system works. View the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLAL10hTEXI
