Officials Hope Sensors Will Lessen US 45 Wrecks

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has announced plans to install Intersection Conflict Warning Systems at two intersections along US 45 between Mayfield and Paducah.

A warning system at the KY 1241 intersection at Leeder Bottom near the McCracken-Graves county line could be in service in about 90 days. A second system near Folsomdale in Graves County is expected to be ready for construction later.

The systems use sensor loops like those that trigger traffic signals at intersections. But instead of a signal, the sensors trigger warning signs.

Traffic on US 45 will activate a ‘Traffic Approaching When Flashing’ signal to alert vehicles attempting to enter the intersection from the side roads. The system will also detect vehicles approaching the stop sign on the side roads to activate a ‘Traffic Entering When Flashing” sign to alert motorists traveling along U.S. 45. 

In 2015, KYTC installed the first of these systems in Kentucky at the intersection of KY 93 and 293 in Lyon County. During the three-year period before installation, there were a total of 11 crashes at the intersection, with 7 total injuries and one fatality. Since the warning system went into service, there have been only two crashes with no injuries reported.

In their evaluation of the US 45 intersections, engineers found traffic volume on the side roads was not high enough to convert the intersections to a four-way stop or add a traffic signal, so the ICWS became the best alternative. 

Each day, just over 12,000 vehicles travel through the Folsomdale intersection, and almost 12, 000 vehicles travel through the Leeder Bottom intersection.