Coming soon to a freeway near you - smart signs

Smarter Highway signs.  Courtesy WSDOT.

The latest traffic technology aimed at increasing safety and reducing collisions is coming soon to State Route 520. Beginning Friday, September 10, drivers will see activity on new electronic signs installed on SR 520 between 130th Ave NE in Bellevue and I-5 in Seattle.

Drivers can expect to see a series of test sequences – symbols or letters – on the new electronic signs during testing. Drivers do not need to take any action when they see the test sequences on the signs. Traffic engineers need to test the new signs to make sure they are ready for around-the-clock operations. The testing is a visible heads up to drivers that the signs should be activated later this fall.

This latest addition of smarter highways technology is part of the SR 520/I-90 Active Traffic Management Project which adds electronic speed-limit and lane status signs to SR 520 and I-90 between Bellevue and Seattle. The signs will alert drivers to reduce their speed or change lanes when there are collisions or backups on the road.

For more information about smarter highways, visit the website.  

--WSDOT