Subject: [NEXTEL-1] Illinois Tollway Working to Improve Illinois Tollway Working to Improve

From: Marcel <[email-masked]>
Date: Wed, 30 Oct 2002 19:28:39 -0500

http://www.illinoistollway.com/News/details_new.cfm?releaseno=492

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Press Release

PRESS RELEASES

Please contact Jan Kemp for more information about this press release.

10/28/2002
Illinois Tollway Working to Improve Winter Driving Conditions

Traffic and Incident Management System to Provide Real-Time Travel Data and Improve Response to Roadway Incidents

This winter the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority will have an additional resource available to help motorists reach their destinations safely. The Illinois Tollway Traffic and Incident Management System (TIMS) will provide drivers with real-time travel times via the Internet and give the Tollway Traffic and Maintenance Department a window to roadway conditions throughout the system allowing for improved response to roadway incidents.

TIMS will coordinate travel times and roadway information through the use of 120 roadway cameras, I-PASS electronic toll collection data, systemwide weather sensors, computer-aided dispatch for Illinois Tollway Maintenance and Illinois State Police District 15 as well as motorist phone calls. This information will help the Illinois Tollway to quickly identify and confirm problems on the roadway, providing immediate, real-time assessment of incidents and allowing maintenance and emergency vehicles to be dispatched sooner. Illinois Tollway travel times generated through TIMS will be available to motorists on the Gary-Chicago-Milwaukee Corridor Web site at www.gcmtravel.org.

“We encourage all motorists to be prepared for winter driving conditions, and the Illinois Tollway is doing its part to make travel safer and easier,” said Executive Director Thomas Cuculich. “TIMS will help motorists better determine how much time they’ll need to get where they want to go and help the Illinois Tollway keep the roadways clear of accidents this winter, as well as snow and ice.”

While the Illinois Tollway is doing its part to keep the roads clear and traffic moving, drivers need to do their part as well. Motorists should be sure to keep a close eye on the other cars and snowplows on the road and anticipate unexpected moves from other motorists. It is also important for motorists to know how their vehicle will perform in winter conditions, and the Illinois Tollway encourages drivers to practice winter emergency maneuvers, such as skidding and braking on ice, in an isolated area or an empty parking lot.

“It’s important to adjust your driving habits to the road conditions and to be aware of the other driver, who may not be taking the proper precautions,” said John Benda, Manager of Tollway Maintenance and Traffic. “The key to safe driving, especially during inclement weather, is to drive defensively. Allow larger intervals between yourself and the vehicles in front of you and refrain from making unnecessary lane changes. Above all, remember to reduce your speed to match the roadway and traffic conditions.”

The Illinois Tollway operates a toll-free telephone line to keep motorists up-to-date about weather conditions on the tollway roadways. Motorists are encouraged to call 1-800-TOLL-FYI (1-800-865-5394) during winter storms to get weather conditions before getting into their cars. The recordings are available 24/7 and are updated every two hours or as conditions require during winter storms.

If stranded in a disabled vehicle, stay in the car until help arrives. The Illinois Tollway’s Highway Emergency Lane Patrol (HELP) trucks will be patrolling the system ready to provide emergency service. HELP patrols run from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays during the winter season. During extreme cold temperature conditions, HELP trucks are supplemented by Zero Patrol vehicles and emergency service is expanded to 24 hours per day, systemwide as required. This emergency service can be alerted via cellular phone by dialing *999, which is funded by the Illinois Tollway and the Illinois Department of Transportation. The Illinois Tollway System is patrolled 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

For more information go to the Illinois Tollway’s Web site www.illinoistollway.com.

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