New System Alerts Commuters Of Traffic Troubles

B.J. Doughty

Highway Upgrades Could Help Commuters

TDOT SmartWay

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Tennessee Department of Transportation launched the second phase of a traveler information system that includes new cameras, message boards and a radio system.

The SmartWay Traveler Information System includes 19 new closed circuit traffic cameras, eight overhead message boards, 80 speed detection devices and a citywide Highway Advisory Radio system.

"This is a means for us to battle, what we call, the SmartWay," said B.J. Doughty, TDOT community relations officer.

The traffic cameras and message boards are located along Interstate 440, I-40, I-65, and I-24.

Motorists can tune their raido dials to 1680AM to find out how long lanes will be blocked. But daily rush-hour congestion and short-term lane closures will not be reported on this system.

"We constantly have people monitoring cameras, looking for slowing traffic or an incident, a crash or a stalled vehicle," Doughty said.

A grid of highway cameras helps monitors see the problem.

On message boards, TDOT will post delay notifications.

"When lights are flashing that will signal motorists to tune in to 1680 AM for major traffic incidents," Doughty said.