CUYAHOGA COUNTY, Ohio — Ohio's first "wrong way detection corridor" has been unveiled in Cuyahoga County.
According to a press release from the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), 25 exit ramps on I-71 and I-90 (Between W154th Street and East 140th Street) now feature technology that will alert drivers as well as law enforcement once a car has turned onto the wrong side of the exit ramp and highway.
“This project marks an important milestone for improving safety in northeast Ohio by reducing wrong way crashes,” said District 12 Deputy Director John Picuri. “We also ask all motorist to not drink and drive, put down distractions, and move over for all vehicles with flashing lights to continue to reduce crashes on our roadways.”
The corridor was selected based on a statewide analysis of wrong-way crashes from 2016-2019. The proximity of bars and restaurants to highway entrance and exit ramps was also considered when deciding where to install the technology.
ODOT said that while wrong way crashes took up only 0.01% of crashes in Ohio in 2023, the high percentage of alcohol-related crashes in those wrong way crashes makes this type of incident especially deadly.
How does the system work?
On each of the 25 exits, a pair of "WRONG WAY" signs with lighted borders have been installed that will flash rapidly if a wrong way driver trips the detector.
A second detector is installed further down the ramp. When a vehicle trips the second set of detectors, additional "WRONG WAY" and "DO NOT ENTER" signs will flash.
The system will then send a notification to the ODOT Traffic Management Center in Columbus of the wrong way driver. Local authorities will immediately be notified.
Cameras have been installed at each exit to capture the wrong way driver's entrance onto the highway.
The "wrong way detection corridor" project began in the spring of 2023 with a total cost of $3.2 million.
A similar system was installed on an 18-mile stretch of I-71 near Cincinnati in 2019. Since that system was put into place, ODOT says they have seen a significant reduction in wrong-way entry.
That system has been triggered more than 50 times and most drivers turn around before entering the highway.