San Mateo ‘Smart Corridor’ Project Will
Use Technology to Battle Traffic Congestion
SAN MATEO COUNTY –
Who knew freeways and streets could be smart? The people who
started work today on the San Mateo Smart Corridor Project, that’s who.
When complete, this project will apply the latest traffic
management technology along 20 miles of State Route 82 (El Camino Real) from
San Bruno to Menlo Park and on local streets in San Mateo County.
We’re working together to help people get to where they are going
easier and faster,” said Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty. “This is a good
example of how technology can help us make better use of the roads we already
have.”
This $35 million dollar project, which is scheduled to be
completed by fall 2013, received $17.5 million in funding from Proposition 1B,
a 2006 voter-approved transportation bond. In total, nearly $14.6 billion in
Proposition 1B funds have been distributed statewide.
The traffic tech tools – known as Intelligent Transportation
Systems – include a fiber optic fiber optic communication system that will
connect to Caltrans’ Transportation Management Center in Oakland and 10 San
Mateo County cities; electronic message signs that guide motorists through
detour routes during freeway incidents; sensors providing information about the
volume of traffic at specific locations; and closed circuit television cameras
allowing Caltrans and the 10 cities to look at the traffic flow and determine
the most effective way to reroute motorists during major congestion.
“Drivers will benefit from this innovative use of technology,”
said Rich Napier, Executive Director of the City/County Association of
Governments of San Mateo County. “When a traffic incident occurs, motorists
will be provided with real-time information to help them choose whether to
remain on the highway, choose a detour, or travel to the nearest public transit
station.”
One of the major benefits of the project is that it will link more
than 250 state and local traffic signals – enabling the signal timing to be
adjusted remotely to better manage the flow of traffic during incidents,
eliminating the need to drive to the signal to make adjustments.
The project also will improve communication and coordination among
emergency responders, local agencies, and Caltrans because they will all have
access to the same information.
“We are excited to be a part of this cooperative effort to improve
travel in San Mateo County,” said Bijan Sartipi, Caltrans District 4 Director.
“Smart corridor projects are an important component of Bay Area mobility and
Caltrans is working with its partners to blaze a trail on this promising new
technology.”
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