Smart Signs

New Smart Signs Testing Kicks Off July 18 on US 36

Located between Federal Boulevard in Westminster to Table Mesa Drive in Boulder, the overhead signs—which have been tested behind the scenes for the last year—will help drivers anticipate and prepare for congestion, and lane closures caused by accidents, disabled vehicles and other obstacles.

Travelers will get real-time incident information and CDOT will observe driver behavior when the signs are activated. CDOT also will be making sure the equipment is working properly and displaying correct information.

What You Need to Know:

  • CDOT Smart Signs use input from cameras and vehicle detectors to collect and process information.
  • Drivers are notified of current and changing traffic conditions on overhead digital signs.
  • CDOT Smart Signs will be implemented on at least two corridors in 2016—U.S. 36 in both directions between I-25 and Boulder, and southbound on I-25 between 120th Avenue and US 36.
  • CDOT Smart Signs are designed to smooth stop-and-go traffic and prevent secondary accidents.
  • In other states where similar traffic management systems have been employed, crashes have been reduced by an average of 30 percent and the road capacity has increased approximately 22 percent.
  • The system will be operated by CDOT—24 hours a day, seven days a week.
smart signs advisory signage

 

What You'll See:

  • Dynamic overhead signs will display real time traffic conditions.
  • The signs will show if lanes are open or closed and provide an advisory speed limit.
  • Advisory speed limits will be used to incrementally slow drivers as they approach congestion.
  • If lanes are closed, signs will direct drivers to merge to an open lane before the closure to avoid abrupt braking.
  • The lowest advisory speed will be 35 mph, even if traffic is moving slower. Just like a static speed adverse conditions may require you to drive slower than the posted speed.

What They Mean:

smart signs glossary