A partnership between area public safety agencies and startup technology firm Waycare has led to increased safety on a stretch of I-15, the busiest roadway in Las Vegas.
The yearlong crash prevention pilot program between Waycare, a provider of artificial intelligence-based mobility products and services for smart cities, the Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) of Southern Nevada, the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) and the Nevada Highway Patrol (NHP) resulted in a 17% reduction of crashes along a stretch of I-15, the RTC announced Monday.
A portion of I-15 northbound between Charleston Boulevard and Russell Road was included in the program’s results. As resources become available, officials plan to use the program in other areas of the Las Vegas Valley, including a stretch of U.S. Highway 95 between I-15 and the Rainbow Boulevard curve.
Waycare said the program utilizes in-vehicle information, existing cameras, sensors and other traffic-related data to develop predictive analytics designed to reduce traffic fatalities and crash-related congestion. When an area at high risk for an incident is identified, Waycare alerts traffic agencies when and where to take preventive action. The RTC uses dynamic message boards to relay advanced warning of an incident, alerting drivers to reduce speed and drive cautiously. The NHP then deploys its vehicles in high-visibility mode along the freeway in conjunction with NDOT, which assures that safety barriers are in place for the police officers on freeways.
During the program, 91% of drivers traveling at more than 65 mph slowed down to under 65 mph in areas where preventive measures were deployed.
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Source: Las Vegas Review-Journal
