State Keeps An Eye On Weather Through Interstate Cameras
By: Stephen Crews
Updated: December 15, 2010
With colder conditions on the roads, officials from the
Department of Transportation will be keeping a watchful eye on drivers.
In the Huntsville area there are several camera's mounted that allow the
DOT to make sure road conditions are safe. The camera's are located on
the overpass along I-565 and there are several more on interstate 65
near the bridge at the Tennessee River.
Department of Transportation engineer Johnny Harris says using the mounted camera's is a great way to safeguard bridges and protect drivers. "Well its important for us to monitor those to be able to determine conditions and possibly what type of treatment we might need to put on the bridges as well as to advise motorists there might be conditions they need to be aware of" Harris said.
At his office in Guntersville, Harris can access the camera's on the internet on a secure connection. Its called road weather information system. It uses both video and sensors that can detect moisture like ice and water and how much is on a bridges surface. Harris says in the future the system may allow folks to view road conditions on the internet from their home computers. "We are exploring that possibility currently, but as of right now it is a limited access to the Department of Transportation".
Lisa Murr travels back and forth from the Huntsville area to Birmingham often. She says having this kind of technology is good news for her family. "As far as knowing whether the roads are icy before I get to a certain point without hitting the bridge with ice on it. It makes me feel safer driving" Murr said.
The Department of Transportation can use the system to provide information to drivers using special signs to alert motorists of dangerous road conditions. The camera's were installed around the Huntsville area one year ago.?
Department of Transportation engineer Johnny Harris says using the mounted camera's is a great way to safeguard bridges and protect drivers. "Well its important for us to monitor those to be able to determine conditions and possibly what type of treatment we might need to put on the bridges as well as to advise motorists there might be conditions they need to be aware of" Harris said.
At his office in Guntersville, Harris can access the camera's on the internet on a secure connection. Its called road weather information system. It uses both video and sensors that can detect moisture like ice and water and how much is on a bridges surface. Harris says in the future the system may allow folks to view road conditions on the internet from their home computers. "We are exploring that possibility currently, but as of right now it is a limited access to the Department of Transportation".
Lisa Murr travels back and forth from the Huntsville area to Birmingham often. She says having this kind of technology is good news for her family. "As far as knowing whether the roads are icy before I get to a certain point without hitting the bridge with ice on it. It makes me feel safer driving" Murr said.
The Department of Transportation can use the system to provide information to drivers using special signs to alert motorists of dangerous road conditions. The camera's were installed around the Huntsville area one year ago.?
