Maricopa County Department of Transportation crews are using “smart” technology to shorten commute times through construction zones.

The technology is known as Smarter Work Zone and MCDOT is one of the first in the nation to utilize SWZ on heavily traveled city/urban roads, known as arterial roadways. MCDOT officials’ goal is to use smart technology to protect those working on roadways. Last year there were 799 fatalities in work zones — 132 of those were roadside workers.

Wireless sensors gather information about work zone conditions. This information is then processed by a computer system that calculates travel times and is even able to warn drivers about potential delays through digital signs. Drivers can then avoid the delay by choosing another route.
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