Downhill Speed Advisory
System
Hilly or
mountainous terrain creates inherently dangerous conditions on some
of North America's highways, especially for large heavily loaded
trucks. Once a truck starts down a grade, it is difficult to adjust
to a slower and safer traveling speed. Inexperienced drivers and
drivers new to a particular area are most likely to encounter difficulties,
often resulting in the use of runaway ramps or serious crashes.
The speed advisory system uses weigh in motion information to determine
and display a safe speed for each commercial vehicle, determined
specifically for that vehicle. An evaluation in Colorado showed
a reduction in truck speeds of more than 5 mph when the system was
activated.
The Downhill
Truck Speed Advisory System integrates Weigh In Motion (WIM) and
Dynamic Message Signs (DMS) and provides a real time vehicle specific
speed advisory to commercial vehicle operators.
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