Maryland drivers have a new tool to figure out just how bad the congestion they’re stuck in is.
The State Highway Administration is displaying signs along the Capital Beltway and other major highways that let motorists know how many minutes to the next exit.
The signs give drivers real-time destination information, taking into account speed limits, distance and traffic by using information from GPS devices implanted in private cars and trucks. The system was rolled out on Interstates 695, 70, 95 and 83, Baltimore-Washington Parkway and the Beltway on Monday.
The electronic sign pilot program began in January on the portion of I-95 between the Baltimore and Capital beltways, and was so successful that the department decided to expand it.
» Commuter Connections is expanding a program that encourages commuters to form car pools in exchange for cash.
Commuters can qualify for a $1 incentive each way if they car pool through the Pool Rewards program. The initiative is being expanded to all carpools in the region; originally the incentive was limited to car poolers taking three major highways.
Interested drivers must register by March 31.
“We’ve had very positive feedback from the initial pilot we did on I-95,” said State Highway Administration spokesman David Buck. This initiative, developed by Intrix Technology, uses existing electronic signs that were posted on the highways to give motorists information on car accidents and delays. Travel information is now displayed daily on the signs from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. unless there is more pressing information that has to be transmitted to drivers.
This initiative, developed by Intrix Technology, uses existing electronic signs that were posted on the highways to give motorists information on car accidents and delays. Travel information is now displayed daily on the signs from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. unless there is more pressing information that has to be transmitted to drivers.
“These travel time messages will definitely be taken down in the event of a crash,” Buck said. “It’s more important for us to tell you [about the crash].”
The signs don’t give to-the-minute information, but instead offer a likely time range. “This is a good gauge to let you know based on the best info out there at the time how long it should reasonably take to get to your [destination],” Buck said.
Motorists can view the information transmitted over the signs before leaving home by logging on to roads.maryland.gov.
