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“While the PA Turnpike has 24-hour roadway maintenance in the winter months, we still need people to slow down in these conditions and let our crews do their jobs,” stated PA Turnpike Chief Operating Officer Craig Shuey. “Stay safely behind the plow trucks and do not pass them as they work. It will keep everyone safe.”
Last January, Hofstra University introduced that Professor Dr. Jase Bernhardt developed a digital actuality snow squall simulator in partnership with the NWS to assist drivers visualize what it’s wish to drive right into a snow squall. The snow squall driving simulation is now accessible to all drivers on each the Meta Quest Store (digital actuality headset) and online (to be used with a desktop laptop), freed from cost.
“This immersive VR simulation locations drivers in a sensible snow squall situation full with lots of the visible and audible cues a Pennsylvania motorist would encounter,” stated NWS Warning Coordination Meteorologist Jonathan Guseman. “By experiencing these conditions firsthand, drivers gain a deeper understanding of snow squall severity and the recommended life-saving actions to take when a Snow Squall Warning is issued.”
On days when snow squalls are possible, NWS will brief its partners, including the PA Turnpike, PennDOT, PEMA, and other public safety and emergency management officials. These agencies can then activate changeable message signs, variable speed limits, and wireless emergency alerts to convey the impending danger from snow squalls to drivers and the public.
As part of these safety measures, variable speed limit (VSL) signs quickly reduce speed limits when visibility or roadway conditions present the need for more cautious driving, such as during a snow squall. PennDOT has 83 VSL signs located along Interstate 80 and I-81 and the PA Turnpike has 13 VSL signs along I-70/76 in the Laurel Highlands, one of the snowiest regions in the state. Locations were chosen based on crash and weather data, such as frequency of wintry conditions that demand safer driving, and where crashes caused by whiteout conditions led to roadway closures of more than three hours.
- 36 locations along I-80 in Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, and Union counties, mile marker (MM) 97-210.
- Six locations on I-80 in Clarion and Jefferson counties on the approaches to Emlenton Bridge (MM 42-45), North Fork Bridge (MM 78-81), and Kyle Lake Bridge (MM 92-95).
- Five locations on I-80 in Mercer County (Ohio state line to MM 6 and MM 16-20).
- 36 locations along I-81 from I-78 to I-80 in Lebanon (five locations), Luzerne (seven locations), and Schuylkill (24 locations) counties.
- 13 locations along I-70/76 (PA Turnpike), between the New Stanton Interchange (Exit 75) and the Somerset Interchange (Exit 110), from MM 82 to MM 109.
Data shows VSL signs have decreased winter crashes by an average of 7 percent on I-80 when compared to the previous five-year average. Serious injuries and fatalities in crashes decreased by an average of 34 percent for the same locations. Data shows total injuries in crashes decreased by an average of 6 percent on I-81. Furthermore, variable speed limits are one of the Federal Highway Administration’s proven safety countermeasures—a collection of infrastructure-oriented strategies proven through research to reduce roadway fatalities and serious injuries.
While the VSLs are in place, permanent speed limit signs are covered, and the normal posted speed limit is displayed on the VSL unless visibility or winter weather conditions call for slower speeds. When speed limits are reduced, a yellow light at the top and bottom of the VSL will be flashing to ensure drivers are aware of the change.
Additionally, PennDOT has an automated weather corridor on I-90 to alert drivers of potential whiteout conditions ahead. When weather stations in the area indicate low visibility and high levels of snow intensity, changeable message signs approaching the area are automatically updated with warning messages to inform drivers they are approaching dangerous driving conditions: “Whiteout conditions ahead, reduce speed.”
“Drivers might be cited for driving too quick for circumstances, even when they’re under the posted velocity restrict, if climate or highway circumstances make their velocity unsafe for the prevailing hazards,” stated PSP Acting Commissioner Lieutenant Colonel George L. Bivens. “If you might be concerned in a crash on a slippery highway, don’t stand outdoors your car on or close to the roadway. In most conditions, you’ll be safer inside your car together with your seatbelt fixed and your hazard lights activated.”
While avoiding or delaying pointless journey throughout winter storms is the most secure selection, the following best option is to exit the roadway and park in a protected location till the squall passes. If you do drive right into a squall, the businesses supply this recommendation:
- Slow down steadily and drive at a velocity that fits circumstances.
- Turn in your headlights. If caught in a snow squall, flip in your hazard lights.
- Stay in your lane and improve your following distance.
- Stay alert, hold trying as far forward as doable and be affected person.
- Do not drive distracted; your full consideration is required.
- Use your defroster and wipers.
- Keep home windows and mirrors freed from snow and ice.
- During whiteouts, come to an entire cease solely when you’ll be able to safely pull off the roadway.
- Do not cease within the stream of visitors since this might trigger a chain-reaction collision.
- Do not cross a car transferring slowly or velocity as much as get away from a car that is following too intently.
- Always buckle up and by no means drive impaired.
- Have an emergency package useful. Visit ReadyPA for a listing of emergency provides to hold in your automobile.
Drivers can test circumstances on greater than 40,000 roadway miles, together with color-coded winter circumstances on 2,900 miles, by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and accessible 24 hours a day, gives visitors delay warnings, climate forecasts, visitors velocity data, and entry to greater than 1,200 visitors cameras.
511PA can be accessible by way of a free smartphone utility for iPhone and Android units, by calling 5-1-1, or by following local alerts on X.
Subscribe to statewide PennDOT information and visitors alerts or subscribe to information in a specific county or region. Find PennDOT information on X, Facebook, and Instagram.
Visit www.weather.gov/ctp/snowsquall for extra data on snow squalls, or to entry the snow squall simulation.
Editor’s Note: Photos and video from the occasion shall be accessible at PACast.com.
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MEDIA CONTACTS:
Jennifer Kuntch, PennDOT, [email protected]
Myles Snyder, PSP, 717-783-5556 or [email protected]
Jeff Jumper, PEMA, [email protected]
Marissa Orbanek, PA Turnpike, 267-408-5151or [email protected]
Jonathan Guseman, NWS, 814-954-6384 or [email protected]
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