SMART signs put to test on I-80 — most drivers fail
Slogging down Interstate 80, long the rite of non-passage in the Bay Area, may soon become a little easier for drivers, thanks to $79 million worth of new, high-tech, state-of-the-art signs.
Caltrans hopes they will shave precious minutes from countless millions of commute trips, as a similar system is doing in San Diego.
Around 10:30 a.m., just in time for the final dregs of the morning rush, the Caltrans supervisors ordered the bank of signs over the westbound lanes at University Avenue to be switched on for the first time, as a test.
Five bright green arrows — one arrow suspended over each lane — informed motorists that the highway was clear.
Motorists took that in stride, as traffic was still sluggish and the average speed was around 20 mph, no matter what the SMART signs said.
[...] the Caltrans team changed the sign again, as another test, and this time two large red “X” symbols appeared over the two rightmost lanes, indicating that they were closed.
Caltrans says the signs, which will be switched on for keeps later this year, are the latest wrinkle in computerized traffic management.
The signs will be operated by engineers in the Oakland traffic control center, who will evaluate information from sensors and cameras along the freeway.
More electronic signs on San Pablo Avenue will urge detouring motorists to return to I-80 as soon as freeway congestion eases.