NEWS |
143-00: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE , October 20, 2000
The Intelligent Transportation System alerts motorists to any traffic incidents or congestion on the bridge and its approaches, and advises them of possible detours.
"The George Washington Bridge is the gateway from New Jersey and points west to Yankee and Shea stadiums," said Ken Philmus, the Port Authority's Director of Tunnels, Bridges and Terminals. "The Port Authority strongly encourages fans to use mass transit if possible to get to the games. The New York City subways and New York Waterway ferries will be operating service to the ballparks. However, this high-tech system will assist Yankees and Mets fans who must drive by providing them with critical traffic information that will help speed their trip to and from the ballparks."
The system consists of 32 variable message signs in New York and New Jersey that display information about traffic accidents, stalled vehicles or just simple congestion on or around the bridge and its approach roads.
Eastbound motorists will begin to see signs on Route 80 at the split between the local and express lanes in Saddle Brook. Other signs will be visible on the Route 46, 4 and 95 approaches to the bridge.
How it works: An operator in the bridge's control center observes a traffic incident or congestion on a video monitor or is notified about it by police or motorists. He then verifies it and enters data about its type and location into a computer, which in turn displays pre-programmed information about the incident, and possible detours around it, on the message signs.
The system also provides estimated travel times from the bridge's toll plazas to connecting roads, such as the Cross Bronx Expressway or Henry Hudson Parkway.
The Intelligent Transportation System is coming on-line in phases. When it is fully operational, incidents will be detected by sensors in the road, further reducing the interval between information gathering and dissemination to the traveling public.
In anticipation of the big first weekend of the Subway Series, the Port Authority is taking additional steps to make it easier for fans who use the bridge to get to and from the games.
Extra toll collectors will staff toll booths on the nights of World Series games, said Steve Napolitano, General Manager of the George Washington Bridge. In addition, extra Port Authority Tunnel and Bridge Agents will be on duty to clear any accidents or stalled vehicles from the bridge in a timely fashion, Mr. Napolitano said. Construction work will be suspended during the heaviest travel times. And extra police will be assigned to ensure the smooth flow of traffic.