Tusky Valley charter bus crash site first to get new traffic monitoring system
COLUMBUS (WJER) (Feb. 16, 2024) – The Tusky Valley charter bus tragedy is serving as part of the inspiration for new safety enhancements along Ohio highways.
Governor Mike DeWine announced Thursday that the Ohio Department of Transportation is installing monitoring technology at 13 busy sites in the state. These systems will warn drivers when traffic is stopped up ahead to try and prevent rear-end or end-of-queue crashes.
“Another recent example of the end-of-queue crash was the devastating tragic crash last November involving a semi-truck that collided into a car and a charter bus carrying individuals from the Tuscarawas Valley Local School District,” DeWine said.
DeWine said the first of these systems was installed earlier Thursday on I-70 west in Licking County where the charter bus crash took place.
“As you may recall, tragically six individuals died as a result of that,” he said.
DeWine says this technology will alert drivers about upcoming slowdowns through message boards along the highway a couple miles ahead of traffic congestion. The OHGO and other driving apps will also be able to send out notifications about upcoming traffic slowdowns in those areas.
ODOT anticipates having the remaining 12 automated warning system sites operational within the next two years due to the time it takes to extend the necessary electrical and broadband infrastructure.
Map from https://governor.ohio.gov/