A survey
tells PennDOT that radio money is well spent.
Pittsburgh-area motorists talk about their traveler information
preferences in a survey recently conducted by the Pennsylvania
Department of Transportation. Seventy-five percent of them gave
radio as "the most important source of information." |
With
16 state-of-the-art HAR Stations and 77 advisory signs with
flashing beacons, this vital link in the US' eastern highway
network can now provide motorists with up-to-date traffic and
construction information at almost every interchange along the
512-mile toll-way system.
The
flashing sign beacons, powered by the sun and controlled by
wireless technologies, are located both on the Turnpike and on
roads that feed into the Turnpike at major interchanges. In this
way, motorists can be informed before they enter limited-access
roads, if road blockages or slowdowns would make alternate
routes or a change in travel plans logical.
The provider
— Information Station Specialists — selected one Highway
Advisory Radio frequency (1640) for the entire Turnpike, making
it easy for motorists to get highway updates across
Pennsylvania.
The flashing
signs' 75-watt solar power system allows many hours of operation
without tapping into battery reserves. The number of operating
(flashing) hours per day varies from 3 (minimum) to 20 without
affecting battery reserves. Batteries provide another 60 hours
(minimum) of continuous operation in all locations and seasons.
In addition to
this flashing-sign system, after 6 decades of service, the
Pennsylvania Turnpike also boasts 2 traveler information
centers, 55 fare collection facilities, 22 service plazas, 20
maintenance facilities, 8 State Police barracks and 5 tunnels.
Aside from being the oldest turnpike in America, the PA is now
said to be "the first in a new breed of American toll-ways
comprising the interstate-highway system."
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