PITTSBURGH (Newsradio 1020 KDKA) – PennDOT is about to start work on a rollover detection system that could prevent the kind of truck crash that blocked the northbound lanes of Interstate 79 for hours Wednesday. PennDOT traffic engineer Todd Kravits says work should start in the next 2-3 weeks and be complete by late spring or early summer.
“It’s going to be a series of detectors that will sense the vehicles as they drive through there. They pick up the type of vehicle that’s driving as well as their speed,” said Kravits. If a truck is exceeding the 45 mph speed limit through the series of S-bends a warning will go up on overhead message boards. Kravbits says the sensors can also detect cars and motorcycles but officials will target big rigs first.
PennDOT data show there have been 22 crashes in the I-79 S-bends between the Crafton and Coraopolis exits over the past five years. Eleven of them have involved big trucks.
This morning’s crash involved a tractor-trailer hauling soft drinks. It happened about 5 am. in the northbound lanes. All lanes weren’t opened until 1:30 pm. State police say the driver suffered minor injuries.