(Image courtesy of INDOT)
The Indiana Department of Transportation says two Intersection Conflict Warning Systems (ICWS) are being installed in the Region beginning on or after Monday, April 4 through mid-May. An ICWS will be installed at the intersection of U.S. 231 and County Line Road in Lake County and another at State Road 8 and Baums Bridge Road in Porter County. INDOT says the installation process will require intermittent lane closures at these intersections, as well as work alongside the roadway when all lanes are open. Motorists should exercise caution and watch for workers in these areas.
Each ICWS includes signage and amber flashing lights to alert drivers of approaching traffic at two-way, stop-controlled intersections where a major road (higher traffic volume with no stop sign) and a minor road (lower traffic volume with a stop sign) meet. While there are no major changes to the way these intersections function, INDOT says in-pavement detection equipment allows the system to notify motorists of traffic approaching an intersection or traffic waiting to enter an intersection in real time.
“The purpose of an ICWS is to improve traffic safety. According to the Federal Highway Administration, these systems can reduce severe crashes by 20 to 30 percent. Drivers should still follow traffic signs carefully and exercise caution when approaching or entering intersections, even when lights are not flashing.” said the news release from INDOT Northwest.
For more information about how an ICWS works, visit the INDOT website here: bit.ly/INDOTICWS .
