Flooded Roadway Warning
Flooded Road SAFETY
Flooding is the leading cause of severe weather-related deaths, and over half of all flood-related drownings occur when a vehicle is driven into hazardous flood water. Ironically, many drivers rescued from flood waters report that they were in a hurry to get home, to safety, as the reason for attempting to drive through a flooded roadway. It takes only 18 inches of rushing water to carry away most vehicles, including pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles.
Roadway Flood DETECTION PROVIDES ADVANCE WARNING
High Sierra Electronics’ public safety solutions include automated High Water Detection Systems that give advance warning to motorists of a flooded roadway ahead by activating flashing beacons, message signs, or automatic road barrier gates. Conditions at the warning stations are also monitored by Contrail® software that can issue alarms to key personnel and feed a public or intra-agency website. A well-designed system not only improves public safety but can also help a region conserve Emergency Management, Rescue and Road Department resources, and help in the overall response to flooding events.
Get our free Road Weather Solutions Guide, “Smart Solutions for Road Weather and Flooded Roadway Risks”.
Watch our webinar: How To Protect Drivers From Flooded Roadways With Automation And Technology
Gain insights with David Wegmann, Bexar County Public Works, as he tells how the county implemented their life-saving flood-detection HALT program.
In most years, flooding is the #1 weather-related cause of death in the U.S. and consistently over 50% of those deaths occur to motorists in their cars. Problem spots include low water crossings, rail road underpasses, and areas prone to coastal flooding and storm surge.
This webinar explores the use of High Water Detection Systems where real-time monitoring at the flood-prone point in the road can automatically activate flashing beacons and gates to warn motorists of danger ahead.
FEATURED CASE STUDY
Flash flooding is the leading cause of weather-related fatalities nationwide and the State of Texas leads the country in weather-related and flood-related deaths. Bexar County, which is located in Central Texas and includes the city of San Antonio, is particularly vulnerable to flooding because storms stall along the Balcones escarpment. In addition, its relatively dry climate and rolling hills create low water crossings that are highly susceptible to roadway flooding – earning this region the nickname “flash flood alley”.
Roy Alaquinez, Civil Engineering Assistant for the County of Bexar Public Works Department, has worked with High Sierra Electronics for over 10 years helping to reduce the risk to the public.
