News Releases
Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - October 25, 2002
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Gov. Gary Locke Touts Traffic Management Technology During Tour of ‘Traffic Nerve Center’

SHORELINE – Oct. 25, 2002 – Gov. Gary Locke today touted Washington State Department of Transportation’s technologically advanced “traffic nerve centers,” but reiterated that the state-of-the-art systems will only be part of the solution for statewide traffic improvements.

“This is an example of technology at work to keep traffic moving on our roads,” Locke said at the Washington State Department of Transportation’s (WSDOT) Northwest Region Traffic Systems Management Center in Shoreline. “This center, like those in other locations statewide, help the Department of Transportation and the Washington State Patrol clear accidents quickly and provide the public with timely information about traffic conditions.”

The Shoreline traffic management center is one of six “traffic nerve centers” located in Washington. The Shoreline center monitors nearly 110 miles of highway via 255 cameras throughout the Puget Sound Region and runs software that allow WSDOT to operate and manage traffic in real-time and continually update information for motorists, ferry riders and transit riders. New technology has enabled WSDOT’s incident response program to successful clear traffic blocking incidents in 90 minutes or less.

“When a traffic incident occurs, such as an accident or disabled vehicle, there is real-time dispatching of incident response vehicles, immediate preparations for the re-routing of traffic, and detailed, up-to-the minute traffic information all designed to help in clearing the incident faster to get traffic flowing faster,” Transportation Secretary Doug MacDonald said.

The Department of Transportation has been recognized both nationally and internationally for these state-of-the-art capabilities. During the governor’s visit, he met briefly with a delegation from the Shanghai Municipal Engineering Administrative Department, who were touring the facility as part of a study and exchange of ideas on traffic technology and systems management.

While Washington state has some of the most advanced traffic management technology in the world, the governor cautioned that it cannot be the answer to all of the state’s transportation system problems.


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