Feel Better About Being In Traffic

The California Department of Transportation is using a new system of electric signs to give motorists more information about freeway traffic.

1 minute read

August 14, 2005, 11:00 AM PDT

By Brenda Meyer


"The information on the signs comes from 15,000 sensors Caltrans has placed on freeways to measure traffic speed. The fiber optic system has a sensor every half mile of urban freeway, transmitting information every 30 seconds. Officials pick key commute markers and calculate the commute time given the traffic flow. Each sign contains commute times for two destinations."

"It won't ease congestion, but officials are hoping it will ease congestion anxiety."

Thanks to Brenda Meyer

Wednesday, August 10, 2005 in The Los Angeles Times

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