N.Y. Deploys Techniques to Mitigate Bridge Strikes

[Stay on top of transportation news: Get TTNews in your inbox.]

Truck drivers touring alongside Lengthy Island highways are more likely to see new indicators and pavement markers to discourage wrong-way drivers and over-height autos from placing overpasses resulting from a N.Y. transportation security initiative.

1000’s of extremely reflective indicators and pavement markings have been put in in 700 areas on a number of the busiest highways in Nassau and Suffolk counties.

“Flawed-way drivers and over-height autos pose apparent security hazards that may trigger unspeakable tragedies and result in pointless delays and hardships for motorists,” Gov. Kathy Hochul introduced Sept. 14. “With these new indicators and pavement markings, we’re offering hard-to-ignore warnings that can assist deter wrong-way drivers and over-height vehicles to guard the protection of their fellow motorists.”

The brand new indicators, 75% bigger than earlier ones, every show a bridge’s peak and have signpost reflectors to assist truckers keep away from placing overpasses.

“Low Bridge Clearance” pavement markings are being put in at 17 focused parkway areas to additionally enhance consciousness. The state has put in 16 over-height automobile detectors at ramps the place vehicles continuously have entered parkways. The detectors can flash a warning signal to inform drivers and transmit alerts to the state DOT’s regional visitors administration heart.

“All too usually, vehicles and different over-height autos — unaware of the state parkway peak restrictions — have entered the parkways and struck the overpasses, inflicting visitors backups and injury to freeway infrastructure,” in keeping with the governor’s workplace.

Lengthy Island’s state parkways, constructed a number of many years in the past with low stone arch bridges, had been constructed to deal with passenger autos touring alongside N.Y.’s scenic drives, however as we speak are main commuting routes connecting suburban communities to New York Metropolis.

New measures introduced by @GovKathyHochul as we speak to discourage wrong-way driving and bridge strikes on a few of Lengthy Island’s busiest highways. Extra Right here: https://t.co/xv64THINZMpic.twitter.com/mnYv0qeZf9

— NYSDOT (@NYSDOT) September 14, 2023

New York has been making an attempt completely different methods to discourage bridge strikes for years. The N.Y. State Freight Transportation Plan from 2019 famous there had been 600 bridge strikes since 2015. Warning programs already had been put in on parkways on Lengthy Island, in New York Metropolis and within the decrease Hudson Valley. The state was investing $25 million in bridge-strike mitigation tasks to forestall accidents, accidents, visitors delays and injury to bridge infrastructure.

“Whereas signage can warn vehicles of instant hazards, bridge clearance signing is utilized on all bridges with a measured clearance of 14 ft or much less to warn drivers of obtainable clearance. All states besides New York publish bridges at not more than 3 inches beneath precise clearance. New York state posts bridges at 12 inches beneath precise clearance. Whereas this offers extra buffer to autos, it may also be complicated to interstate truckers who might consider their autos can’t move below a bridge, and can due to this fact go for less-efficient routes,” the plan said.

The brand new security enhancements additionally embody greater than 3,600 “Flawed Means” and “Do Not Enter” indicators put in at 422 parkway, expressway and freeway ramps to discourage wrong-way drivers from coming into high-speed highways, expressways and parkways on Lengthy Island.

Dealing with towards regular visitors movement is a “Do Not Enter” signal adopted by 4 “Flawed Means” indicators plus signposts with crimson reflective strips for higher visibility. Further pavement markings and reflectors in roadways even have been put in on the ramps to alert drivers touring within the improper route.

Marie Therese Dominguez, state Division of Transportation commissioner, mentioned, “Security is all the time the highest precedence of the Division of Transportation, and these new indicators and pavement markings will assist us fight the damaging cases of wrong-way driving and bridge strikes on Lengthy Island roadways.

“Nonetheless, security is everybody’s duty. Whereas we stay dedicated to doing all we will to reinforce the protection of our roadways, we want motorists to obey the principles of the street, drive responsibly and stay alert always.”

Suffolk County govt Steve Bellone thanked the governor and different state officers “for taking extra proactive measures to scale back and forestall severe accidents and deadly crashes on Lengthy Island.”

Equally, Bruce Blakeman, a Nassau County govt, predicted the protection enhancements would “assist make our highways safer for the lots of of 1000’s of Nassau County motorists who use them daily.”

These new transportation security measures in Lengthy Island meet or exceed all state and federal freeway security requirements, the governor’s workplace famous.

Need extra information? Hearken to as we speak’s each day briefing beneath or go right here for more information: