LOUISVILLE, Ky. — An important warning system is headed to Kentucky interstates that aims to warn people of a wrong-way driver on the road.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear announced upcoming steps to make interstates safer, and how a $9.5 million project will monitor and bolster safety on interstates prone to wrong-way crashes.
"This three-month pilot will vet the technology to make sure it's accurate, it's resilient, that it works, and that it integrates with existing traffic operations software," he said.
According to a news release, the pilot project will test new technologies along select ramps in Lexington this summer before deploying to areas in Louisville.
The Wrong-Way Driving and Integrated Safety Technology System will both detect and deter wrong-way incidents by alerting the wrong-way driver, other drivers and emergency responders.
"It's hard for me to believe someone going down the wrong way on the highway but putting technology up to help is still a good idea," community member Michael Harper said.
It will also improve existing systems monitoring pedestrians, debris and stopped cars on the roadway.
When it makes its way to Louisville, it will monitor areas on three different interstates:
- The Watterson from I-64 to I-65
- I-64 from the Ohio River to Pee Wee Reese Road through Seneca Park
- I-65 from the junction to the Outer Loop
Those areas were identified based on crash history and ramp designs, as most wrong-way crashes occur in these areas according to the release. The technology could also potentially move to other counties within the state.
According to data from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, between 2015 and 2023, there were 191 crashes involving wrong-way driving on interstates; of those, 55 people died and 76 people were seriously injured.
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