Electronic signs will
give H-1 traffic tips
The new signs will offer
By Rod Ohira
drivers up-to-the-minute advice
on route obstructions
Star-BulletinNew electronic message signs being installed on the H-1 freeway will provide motorists with up-to-date advisories about traffic conditions ahead, once they become fully operational.
The larger Variable Message Signs, or VMS, do not have that capability now because they're not yet hooked up to the state Transportation Department's traffic control center located on the H-3 freeway in Halawa.
"The problem will be corrected within a year," state Transportation Department spokeswoman Marilyn Kali said. "We need to run telephone lines from the traffic control center to the signs."
Until the hookup is established, state workers will have to go to individual VMS sites to program messages using a laptop computer.
The first VMS on the H-1 was installed earlier this month near the Ward Street overpass.
The 30-foot-wide sign for Ewa-bound motorists currently provides them with the construction work schedule on Pali Highway.
Kali said the control center currently cannot receive pictures from all the city-mounted video cameras.
Efforts are being made to correct the situation and also to set up communication with police to obtain information as potential traffic problems are occurring, she added.
"The signs are designed to inform motorists so they can consider options, prior to a decision-making point, about a trans-Koolau route," Kali said.
"For example, if they are on the H-1 heading to Likelike Highway and the sign tells them there's a fallen tree on Likelike, they can consider an alternate route to go home."
Ninety percent of the cost for the signs being installed is being paid for by federal funds from the H-3 project, Kali said.
Other 30-foot-wide overpass signs will be installed along the H-1 at Liliha Street, Kaamilo Street and near Radford Drive.
Smaller signs will be placed where Moanalua Road merges into H-1, and on Kamehameha Highway between Pali Momi Street and Aiea Kai Place.
"The size of the signs are determined by the traffic speed limit," Kali said.
"The higher the speed limit, the larger the sign so people can read it."
The largest sign has two lines with a maximum of 18 characters each. If there is no advisory, the message board will be dark.
"It'll only be lighted if there's something to say," Kali said.
The message boards are just one part of the state's traffic management system plan, says Kali.
"We're looking for ways to manage traffic better so we can increase capacity without building anything more," Kali added.
"All of our freeways are designed for 2,000 vehicles per hour, per lane.
"We exceed capacity during rush hour because we have more cars than we can manage.
"By passing on information advising people of delays so they can consider options, we're going to be better off."
In addition to trying to manage traffic, the state is also looking at managing demand by setting up programs like Vanpool Hawaii.
