|
NTTA’s Wrong Way Driver Task Force Project Recognized for International Law Enforcement Award The NTTA’s Wrong Way Driver Task Force project has been awarded the 2009 Project of the Year from the International Association of Law Enforcement Planners.
“This award symbolizes the NTTA’s commitment to safety,” said Clayton Howe, NTTA assistant executive director of operations. “The task force will continue to review our designs and practices to determine if we can do more to combat mistakes made by impaired drivers.”
The award recognizes a law enforcement planning project that has demonstrated a significant innovation, practice, technique, application of efficiency, measured effectiveness or application that is deemed valuable by others. The project also must have contributed to the operational and/or financial success of the agency and to the advancement of the law enforcement planning profession through tangible efficiency and/or effectiveness.
The NTTA Wrong Way Driver Task Force continues to address wrong-way driver prevention and has taken the following steps to increase safety on the NTTA System:
- Installed additional “Wrong Way” and “Do Not Enter” signs on longer entry/exit ramps
- Modified pavement markings at several tollway crossroad service streets
- Piloted LED-enhanced “Wrong Way” signs
- Added one-way pavement markers at the south end of the Dallas North Tollway
- Installed raised pavement marker arrows at every NTTA exit ramp
- Created an automated wrong-way detection system using existing pavement loops that alert Command Center staff of a possible wrong-way driver
- Added red reflective tape to “Wrong Way” and “Do Not Enter” signs
- Deployed intersection inspection checklists used by engineers to assess countermeasures
- Contracted with the Texas Transportation Institute to conduct crash tests for the possibility of lowering “Wrong Way” signs near exit ramps
“The NTTA has seen a reduction in wrong way driver crashes,” said Marty Legé, chair of the NTTA Wrong Way Driver Task Force. “While we cannot fully attribute this reduction to the work of the task force, we can acknowledge those efforts and that of the media in helping to bring awareness to the dangers of drinking and driving. The task force team received countless letters and e-mails from concerned drivers throughout the Metroplex with suggestions on countermeasures to reduce the risk of wrong way driving. Problems are better resolved when all stakeholders target the problem, as has been the case here.”
The Authority continues to work with the City of Dallas on enhancements to the Wycliff Avenue median at the southbound DNT exit ramp on a project designed to reduce the possibility of entering an exit ramp. It also uses the NTTA’s current intelligent transportation system of more than 1,000 cameras, pavement sensors and large messaging signs to ensure the safety of our motorists. The NTTA works also closely with the Texas Department of Public Safety and local police to increase patrols and partners with Mothers Against Drunk Driving in educational campaigns to help educate the public on the dangers of driving while under the influence.
|