CDOT Tests Trip Travels Times On I-25 North In The Denver Area

December 27, 2010 - Denver Metro Colorado/CDOT Region 6 - DENVER—- The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is beginning to display trip travel times on southbound I-25 at 84th Avenue in an effort to provide improved traveler information to motorists.

The sign displays travel times to the I-25/I-70 interchange.  Additional destinations along the I-25 corridor will be added to the sign in the future.

“This is the first trip travel time sign in the northern part of the Denver metro area,” said CDOT Traffic Engineer Jill Scott.  “We will test the trip travel time sign for a couple of months and then slowly expand the number of signs to the south.”

The sign on southbound I-25 at 84th Avenue will provide real-time travel information, allowing drivers to estimate how long their trip will take, based on present traffic conditions.  It also is useful for comparing normal travel times with the current estimated travel time, allowing drivers to consider the use of alternate routes, if necessary, to help ease traffic congestion.

The system on I-25 is collecting data from side-fire speed sensors and toll transponders.  Speed, volume, and road segment travel data is calculated and then the estimated travel time is displayed.  CDOT does not have access to any personal or identifying information on a vehicle and information is deleted from the system within two hours.

Travel times are not predictive but provide a snapshot of current highway traffic and conditions.  Travel time messages and information will not be available during times traffic is stopped or a major incident results in a highway closure.

CDOT currently is displaying travel time data on electronic signs on I-70 west of Denver, in the Denver area along C-470 and 6th Avenue and to the south between Colorado Springs and Lone Tree.  Over the next year to two years, CDOT plans to expand trip travel time information on I-25 from 84th Avenue to Lone Tree.  The signs will slowly roll out from 84th Avenue and from Lone Tree.