MoDOT won't deploy noisy work-zone warning device after all

[Sherman A1]

The Missouri Department of Transportation said today it has canceled its plan to roll out noisy devices to warn drivers to slow down near moving work zones in the Kansas City area.

Chris Redline, MoDOT's assistant district engineer in Kansas City, said the agency learned it will not be able to secure the two Long Range Acoustic Devices, or LRADs, from its manufacturer before the end of the lane-striping efforts this year.

The acoustic devices, which deliver a directed, audible warning to drivers approaching the lane-striping operations, would send an audible alarm measuring about 60 decibels at 600 feet. A message encouraging drivers to slow down would reach about 78 decibels, or the equivalent of a hair dryer.

Redline added that the change in plan will give MoDOT time to gather more information on the devices, which are expected to cost less than $25,000.

http://www.stltoday.com/news/traffic/along-for-the-ride/1eb772e6-c43c-57c9-9a38-577122163861.html

Gosh, I wonder if they figured out this wasn't such a good idea after all?

[blkmusclmachine]

1. We'll see.