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Thermal Cameras Being Installed Along the I-17

Construction on the I-17 has started to install thermal cameras as part of a new camera-based pilot system designed to prevent wrong-way drivers in Phoenix. From 2004 to 2014 there have been 245 wrong-way crashes on Arizona highways. 65 percent of wrong-way drivers were impaired, 91 fatalities were tallied. This year, there have been 69 reported wrong-way crashes, 10 deaths were reported. The most recent wrong-way crash happened this month on the I-17 southbound interstate 17 at mile post 250 resulting in four people being transported to the hospital in serious condition.

As of June 12, 2017the project was originally estimated to cost $3.7 million dollars. On July 28th, the Transportation Board awarded a $1.9 million dollar contract to Mesa based Contractors West Inc. The project will install thermal cameras along the 15-mile stretch of the I-17 from I-10 to loop 101. Phoenix freeways experience hundreds of thousands of vehicles travelling daily. Research has proven that 90 percent of wrong-way accidents occur when drivers are under the influence, speeding, reckless, or distracted while driving.

The thermal camera operating system will do three things when a wrong-way vehicle is detected. Warn wrong-way drivers, notify law enforcement authorities, and alert wrong-way drivers so they can self correct. The system will automatically send alerts to highway patrol when wrong-way vehicles are detected, helping troopers detect and stop wrong-way vehicles. On freeways wrong-way vehicles will trigger sensors that trigger alerts aimed at getting drivers to stop. Alerts such as flashing signs and illuminated signs will be in place. Thermal cameras will be placed strategically in 1-mile intervals allowing state troopers to plan their response and stop wrong-way vehicles. The system hopes to help state troopers have a faster response to wrong-way vehicles, while alerting the ADOT and DPS simultaneously.


The project hopes to reduce the amount of wrong-way drivers in-turn reducing the amount of accidents on the I-17. Weekly changes in road closures are expected during the construction of the project. The project is expected to be finished and fully operational by early 2018.