5G Technology World

  • 5G Technology and Engineering
  • FAQs
  • Apps
  • Devices
  • IoT
  • RF
  • Radar
  • Wireless Design
  • Learn
    • 5G Videos
    • Ebooks
    • EE Training Days
    • FAQs
    • Learning Center
    • Tech Toolboxes
    • Webinars/Digital Events
  • Handbooks
    • 2024
    • 2023
    • 2022
    • 2021
  • Resources
    • Design Guide Library
    • EE World Digital Issues
    • Engineering Diversity & Inclusion
    • Engineering Training Days
    • LEAP Awards
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe

Cameras, Radar Combating Wrong-Way Driving Accidents, Fatalities In Texas

By Michael Luciano | March 6, 2018

As someone who spent years working in the insurance industry before joining WDD, this particular story caught my eye. In my previous profession, I’ve heard some bizarre stories behind accidents and other auto-related incidents our customers were involved in, and sadly, wrong-way driving was a factor in more than one of these accounts. The term is fairly straightforward, and describes people who literally, for whatever reason, wind up driving down a road in the opposite direction of traffic flow.

As a result, many accidents involving wrong-way drivers are usually severe in nature, head-on, and result in serious injuries or fatalities. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, wrong-way driving accidents claim 300-400 lives a year, which (sadly) is a strong indicator whose barely noticeable red signs reading “wrong way” in all white capitalized letters, are clearly not enough to effectively mitigate these incidents from occurring.

Wrong-way drivers are a major reason that factored into the implementation of an innovative safety project by the Texas Department of Transportation, after 27-year old San Antonio Police Officer Stephanie Brown was killed by one on IH-35 in 2011. While it’s taken a few years to piece everything together, radars cameras, and light strips are being installed on those red “wrong way” signs along U.S. 90. These technologies are currently operating at four locations— eastbound and westbound exits on Callaghan off U.S. 90, the westbound exit to State Highway 151, and eastbound exit to General McMullen Drive.

The technology is designed to detect and alert wrong-way drivers, while also informing authorities with hopes they can intervene in time. The system utilizes three radars and one camera. Once the equipment identifies a vehicle driving into the flow of traffic, a notification is issued to a mounted cellphone at a transguide center, along with emails containing pictures and other important information.

Operationally, these detection technologies demonstrated its effectiveness when they alerted Texas Department of Transportation workers at the transguide of a wrong-way driver. Although the vehicle in question turned out to be a construction vehicle safely traveling through a work zone for just a couple seconds, the timing and precision of the radar and cameras was very encouraging to see. Over the next couple of months, it’s expected all 17 ramps on U.S. 90 between 35 and 410 are expected to be equipped with these cameras and radar system. While initial signs appear promising, how effective this system will truly be at mitigating (or completely preventing) accidents caused by wrong-way driving is something we’ll only find out over time.


Filed Under: Radar

 

Next Article

← Previous Article
Next Article →

Related Articles Read More >

Butler Matrix
Butler Matrix drives Wi-Fi and other phased-array antennas
FAQ on the Butler matrix for beamforming: part 1
IEEE Phased Array 2024: what we saw
Harrison Osbourn, CEO Signal Hound
New Signal Hound CEO to focus on strategy, marketing, sales

Featured Contributions

  • Overcome Open RAN test and certification challenges
  • Wireless engineers need AI to build networks
  • Why AI chips need PCIe 7.0 IP interconnects
  • circuit board timing How timing and synchronization improve 5G spectrum efficiency
  • Wi-Fi 7 and 5G for FWA need testing
More Featured Contributions

EE TECH TOOLBOX

“ee
Tech Toolbox: 5G Technology
This Tech Toolbox covers the basics of 5G technology plus a story about how engineers designed and built a prototype DSL router mostly from old cellphone parts. Download this first 5G/wired/wireless communications Tech Toolbox to learn more!

EE LEARNING CENTER

EE Learning Center
“5g
EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND STAY CONNECTED
Get the latest info on technologies, tools and strategies for EE professionals.

Engineering Training Days

engineering
“bills
5G Technology World
  • Enews Signup
  • EE World Online
  • DesignFast
  • EDABoard Forums
  • Electro-Tech-Online Forums
  • Microcontroller Tips
  • Analogic Tips
  • Connector Tips
  • Engineer’s Garage
  • EV Engineering
  • Power Electronic Tips
  • Sensor Tips
  • Test and Measurement Tips
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise

Copyright © 2025 WTWH Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media
Privacy Policy

Search 5G Technology World