This Week at NCDOT: Wrong Way Vehicle Detection System

RALEIGH – The following are highlights from this week at the N.C. Department of Transportation. The stories below are also featured in NCDOT Now, the department’s weekly newscast.

Wrong-way Vehicle Detection System

Over the last year, the North Carolina Turnpike Authority has tested enhanced wrong-way vehicle detection technology on the Triangle Expressway. This is part of ongoing efforts to provide the safest driving experience possible.

As an all-electronic toll facility, the Triangle Expressway’s communications network backbone and other roadside technology allowed the Turnpike Authority to more quickly implement the program.

The new systems being tested provide visual alerts to wrong-way drivers and updates to traffic signals. Roadside signage and lane striping also help discourage wrong-way turns. Every second is critical when a wrong-way vehicle is detected and with this technology, State Traffic Operations Center staff and State Highway Patrol are notified more quickly of the vehicle’s location.

Fortunately, no wrong-way vehicle crashes have occurred on the Triangle Expressway. Since the technology was implemented last year, four wrong-way vehicles were detected at test sites. In these situations, the drivers never went onto the mainline of the Expressway.

The Turnpike Authority is planning to implement this technology on the rest of the Triangle Expressway and the Monroe Expressway in the Charlotte area.

State of Aviation Report
A safe and efficient transportation system is the backbone of the state’s economy. A recent report released by the Division of Aviation shows the critical role of North Carolina’s general aviation airports which contribute more than $52 billion to the state’s economy and support 307,000 jobs.

The 72 publicly owned airports and aviation-related jobs also provide $12.6 billion in personal income and contribute $2.2 billion in state and local tax revenues every year.

View the full report and breakdowns of each individual airport’s contributions at the Davision of Aviation's Website

Rule of the Road
For this month’s rule of the road, remember that disposing of litter on public or private property is illegal. Violators could face up to a $200 fine and community service.

Let’s work together to keep North Carolina safe and beautiful.

***NCDOT***