July 23, 2018

ADOT Project Aims to Prevent Dust-Related Crashes on I-10

How a new alert system will inform drivers sooner of an approaching dust storm.

Rain and wind storms from this year's monsoon have derailed trains, delayed flights and forced transportation officials to shut down roads. Arizona 360 learned more about dust-detection software the Arizona Department of Transportation is installing along a vulnerable stretch of Interstate 10 to prevent dust-related crashes.

New technology will detect if high amounts of dust particles are in the air that could hamper visibility. It will automatically activate warnings on electronic road signs and lower the speed limit on variable speed limit signs. Cameras will allow workers at ADOT's traffic operations center in Phoenix to monitor the situation in real time.

"We can't stop a dust storm. But what we can do is give you the information as a driver so that you can pull aside and let the dust storm pass," public information officer Tom Herrmann said.

Installation of the new alert system is expected to finish in fall 2019. It coincides with ongoing construction to widen the interstate near Picacho Peak and build a new interchange at State Route 87.

Arizona 360
Arizona 360 airs Fridays at 8:30 p.m. on PBS 6 and Saturdays at 8 p.m. on PBS 6 PLUS. See more from Arizona 360.
By posting comments, you agree to our
AZPM encourages comments, but comments that contain profanity, unrelated information, threats, libel, defamatory statements, obscenities, pornography or that violate the law are not allowed. Comments that promote commercial products or services are not allowed. Comments in violation of this policy will be removed. Continued posting of comments that violate this policy will result in the commenter being banned from the site.

By submitting your comments, you hereby give AZPM the right to post your comments and potentially use them in any other form of media operated by this institution.
AZPM is a service of the University of Arizona and our broadcast stations are licensed to the Arizona Board of Regents who hold the trademarks for Arizona Public Media and AZPM. We respectfully acknowledge the University of Arizona is on the land and territories of Indigenous peoples.
The University of Arizona