Caltrans has begun a pilot program that involves 17 ramps in Sacramento and Yolo counties, some with larger signs and enhanced lighting. Others, like the 5th Street off-ramp from Eastbound Highway 50 in Sacramento, include a camera to take pictures of cars and sensors to trigger alerts to 9-1-1 and the California Highway Patrol.
Photograph by Ryan Harris, KFBK
According to Caltrans spokesman Dennis Keaton, even though wrong-way crashes make up a small percentage of the total number of crashes in California each year, "these are highlighted because of how shocking the actual collisions are with serious injuries or even death."
That is why Caltrans will continue the program until they know where they need to put the enhanced equipment and how much of it they need to install.