CHICO — Caltrans implemented additional safety measures Tuesday to northbound Highway 99 in efforts to increase traffic awareness as Camp Fire recovery continues in Butte County.
Three new portable changeable message signs using traffic sensor systems were installed and activated Tuesday on northbound Highway 99 at Neal Road, Eaton Road and Garner Lane.
These systems are designed to increase safety in areas with a significant increase in traffic during recovery efforts by monitoring traffic speeds and issuing flash messages, Caltrans said in a press release. These messages alert drivers to slowed or stopped traffic ahead.
The Ver-Mac SpeedMac system uses a microwave sensor that recognizes vehicle type, volume and speed on all lanes of traffic. When traffic speeds drop to below 45 mph or 30 mph, the sign boards to the south are alerted to warn drivers to reduce their speed or to prepare to stop.
Emergency recovery funding helped award the contract for the technology.
“We are thankful for the dedicated efforts of crews that are assisting with debris removal and Camp Fire recovery in Paradise and Butte County,” said Caltrans District 3 Director Amarjeet S. Benipal in the release.
Caltrans also installed a roundabout at Clark Road and Durham Pentz Road, to help move traffic more quickly while debris is hauled, as well as additional speed-feedback radar sign reminders of the roundabout’s 20 mph speed limit. Caltrans plans to add in-ground rumble strips before the roundabout and raised pavement markers inside the roundabout as an additional effort to reduce speed.
