[kidyankee764]

Not only are they inaccurate, but they actually cause traffic. I can't tell you how many times I've seen people slam on their brakes to read the scrolling sign, then traffic breaks up just past the sign.

[Stratford, Ct. Resident]

Originally Posted by JayCT

There is no excuse for this happening. Most of the time the signs help along with the radio stations in the area. I would send in a complaint via ConnDOT's website. Jay

I wouldn't bother. The sign that's located @Exit 39 Northbound on the Parkway has been off for many weeks now. ConnDOT just doesn't give a crap.

[htfdcolt]

Originally Posted by pulpfiction

Agreed that those signs are inaccurate all too often.

In a way, I'd almost like to see them disappear completely. The way people drive here, they really are a hazard. The DOT will put up a message about seat belts or drunk driving...and people will immediately slam on their brakes when approaching the sign As if CT drivers need any further reason to be even more awful on the road....

If the DOT is going to bother with the electronic signing, they should do them the right way. Long Island (of all places) does them very well--signs that provide travel times to key interchanges. Why not, for instance, put travel times to downtown Hartford or the 91 interchange for commuters on 84? Much more useful than "2 mile delay, exits 48 to 44".

Been driving a bunch in the Tampa Bay area in recent weeks...they seem to have this system too. Found it very useful, immediately gives you an idea of average speeds ahead and whether to try and seek an alternate.

[MrGompers]

Originally Posted by rajmelk

Yeah, but the point is--there's a taxpayer-funded alert system which isn't doing what it's designed for.

I'm was thinking the same thing, but I wanted to try to understand the system before complaining. These signs are nearly always wrong. IMO we might as well do away with them or sell the space for advertising. I can imagine a "Drink Coca-Cola" would be a nice fit.

The police actually had the time to set up "detour" signs thru Rocky Hill last night and still couldn't get the message sign changed ? Also, why in the hell do they let people continue entering the highway if the highway is closed ?

[Mike 75]

Originally Posted by kidyankee764

Not only are they inaccurate, but they actually cause traffic. I can't tell you how many times I've seen people slam on their brakes to read the scrolling sign, then traffic breaks up just past the sign.

Yes! Especially at rush hour, when they say there's a delay for the next 14 miles, and everyone slows down to read it. Of course there's a delay, its rush hour. They should really be reserved for annoucing accidents or construction, not everyday traffic congestion.

[JViello]

Originally Posted by kidyankee764

Not only are they inaccurate, but they actually cause traffic. I can't tell you how many times I've seen people slam on their brakes to read the scrolling sign, then traffic breaks up just past the sign.

Exactly. It's an antiquated system in the days of Sat Nav, social media and smart phones. Just get rid of them and defund the system. Or if you are going to have a system like that make it a voluntary text message blast or something you can sign up for.

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by JViello

Exactly. It's an antiquated system in the days of Sat Nav, social media and smart phones. Just get rid of them and defund the system. Or if you are going to have a system like that make it a voluntary text message blast or something you can sign up for.

The problem is that not everybody has access to these services and many do not want them. The system we have is not antiquated and does work. You just don't see it. It allows a trained operations staff to quickly see, evaluate and react to incidents on the highway. Those signs are just one small part of the whole system. Imagine if we did not have it at all. Traffic would be a lot worse and people would have no knowledge of what to expect. Is it perfect? No, but then again nothing really is. Jay

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by JayCT

The problem is that not everybody has access to these services and many do not want them. The system we have is not antiquated and does work. You just don't see it. It allows a trained operations staff to quickly see, evaluate and react to incidents on the highway. Those signs are just one small part of the whole system. Imagine if we did not have it at all. Traffic would be a lot worse and people would have no knowledge of what to expect. Is it perfect? No, but then again nothing really is. Jay

How about people just deal with a little delay without the use of any of this stuff?

I was amazed yesterday at the impatience of people. I had to travel to Hartford for training yesterday and on my way home, 91S in Cromwell was jammed due to an accident. People entering the highway from 9 were literally stopping and reversing down the ramp back to Route 9 (a friggen highway) as people were entering. Then, people on 91 started doing the same thing! Not 10 minutes later, the highway opened up and we were going 70 again while the morons were still navigating city streets around the highway.

[JViello]

Originally Posted by kidyankee764

How about people just deal with a little delay without the use of any of this stuff?

I was amazed yesterday at the impatience of people. I had to travel to Hartford for training yesterday and on my way home, 91S in Cromwell was jammed due to an accident. People entering the highway from 9 were literally stopping and reversing down the ramp back to Route 9 (a friggen highway) as people were entering. Then, people on 91 started doing the same thing! Not 10 minutes later, the highway opened up and we were going 70 again while the morons were still navigating city streets around the highway.

And the whole idea and system IS antiquated. What year is this? To think some seat shiner is on top of things in the state government hierarchy is to me laughable at best. Google maps with traffic completely and totally owns the state DOT in that regard. I don't totally know how they do it, but my God they get even local roads right down to the 1/10th of a mile while the dinosaur signs are miles apart and some too late to react.

Not everyone has the technology? Well sucks to be you, get with the times. If you don't want it, enjoy the traffic as a reward. Beat the traffic app beats the hell out of the DOT. lol

[Stylo]

They are useless. I honestly think they cause more traffic.