Public-Private Initiative Aims to Enhance Safety and Improve Traveler Information
As part of an overall effort to enhance safety and improve traffic, many truckstops in Colorado will soon be equipped with a tool that should provide truckdrivers and other travelers with real-time information relating to roadway, weather, and traffic conditions on key highways in the state. The program is a cooperative effort involving Walmart, local truckstops, the Colorado Motor Carriers Association (CMCA), and the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT).
The kickoff of the effort occurred at Johnson’s Corner Truckstop in Johnstown along I-25 on May 31, which is one of the largest truckstops in Colorado. Representatives from Walmart, Johnson’s Corner Truckstop, CDOT, and CMCA attended the event and received an overview of how the system works and future plans.
The project involves the distribution and installation of 20 (42”) HDTV monitors in various truckstops throughout the state. The monitors were donated by Walmart Transportation. The monitors will provide streaming video from CDOT video cameras that are aligned along major highways in the state. As part of the project CDOT is installing the necessary software at each of the truckstops to drive the video display.
As part of the event, Daryl Decker, Regional Safety Director for Walmart Transportation commented that “Walmart is proud to be a partner and supporter of this important highway safety initiative which will not only help truckdrivers but other members of the traveling public be better aware of traffic and weather conditions on Colorado’s key highways.”
The video monitors will allow travelers to view real-time conditions on the state’s highways. Along with the video images for certain highway segments, travelers will be able to see current traffic speeds, weather conditions and bottlenecks. In addition drivers will be provided with alerts related to road closures, accidents, roadway construction, and other conditions that could affect travel.
Chauncey Taylor, the President of Johnson’s Corner Truckstop noted that “Johnson’s Corner and our entire staff recognize the importance and value of providing timely traffic, weather, and construction information to our many customers which include not only truckdrivers but other travelers. We are happy to be a participant in this effort which we believe will benefit all of these highway users by providing more timely and better information to them which will enhance highway safety.”
By providing real-time information on roadway conditions, truckdrivers, families and other travelers can make better decisions relating to route and trip planning. This information will allow drivers to be better prepared for conditions and will enhance safety.
“Two of our primary objectives within CDOT are improving highway safety and reducing traffic congestion and delays. This public-private initiative goes far to assist us in accomplishing these goals. On our part we would like to thank Walmart for its generous donation of the monitors as well as the truckstops such as Johnson’s Corner who are participating in this project” stated Larry Haas, Region 4 Traffic Manager.
Victor Domenico, the Chairman of the Colorado Motor Carriers Association discussed the value and importance of this initiative for truckdrivers and trucking companies saying that “More than anyone else, Colorado truckdrivers and trucking companies appreciate the rapid changes that may occur with our weather as well as traffic conditions on our state’s roadways. By allowing drivers to visually see the current conditions on key highways will allow them to make better decisions in their trip planning and preparation. This project represents a win-win for the public and private sectors. We wish to thank Walmart, our truckstops, and CDOT for their support and assistance on this program.”
In addition to Johnson’s Corner, the video system has been or will be placed in truckstops in Commerce City, Wiggins, Grand Junction, Limon, Watkins, Fountain, Brush, Walsenberg, and Glenwood Springs.
