Drivewyze, a leading provider of connected truck services and the largest operator of public-private weigh station bypass networks, has introduced a new initiative in collaboration with the Texas Department of Transportation. Known as Drivewyze Smart Roadways, this service aims to enhance highway safety by utilizing Drivewyze’s connected truck network and real-time traffic data from Inrix.
Currently, Drivewyze Smart Roadways covers 285 miles of Interstate 45 between Dallas and Galveston, offering truck drivers in-cab alerts about sudden traffic slowdowns and potential hazards. By the end of July, over 3,000 interstate miles across Texas will benefit from this monitoring. Texas joins nine other states in partnering with Drivewyze and Inrix to deploy traffic slowdown alerts as part of their initiatives to improve connected truck safety.
These in-cab alerts feature visual messages like “sudden slowdown ahead,” accompanied by audible chimes, providing ample time for trucks to react appropriately.
Darran Anderson, TxDOT’s director of strategy and innovation, emphasized the importance of such innovations in reducing crashes within the state. Given the higher stopping distances required for large trucks compared to passenger vehicles, targeted alerts tailored for truck drivers are crucial in helping them anticipate and avoid potential road hazards.
Drivewyze Free, a recently launched service, offers these traffic slowdown alerts to the entire trucking industry at no cost. This initiative allows fleets and individual drivers to receive critical safety alerts and advisories preemptively, enhancing their awareness of risky conditions on the road.
Brian Heath, CEO of Drivewyze, highlighted the company’s ongoing commitment to enhancing transportation safety through partnerships with state agencies. The Smart Roadways services, including alerts for traffic slowdowns, active work zones, and other critical notifications, represent a significant advancement in extending safety measures to commercial motor vehicles.
Overall, Drivewyze’s collaboration with the Texas Department of Transportation marks a pivotal step in leveraging technology to promote safer highways for truckers across the state and beyond.