Flooded Roadway Warning

Flooded Road SAFETY

Flooding is the leading cause of severe weather-related deaths, and over half of all flood-related drownings occur when a vehicle is driven into hazardous flood water. Ironically, many drivers rescued from flood waters report that they were in a hurry to get home, to safety, as the reason for attempting to drive through a flooded roadway. It takes only 18 inches of rushing water to carry away most vehicles, including pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles.

Roadway Flood DETECTION PROVIDES ADVANCE WARNING

High Sierra Electronics’ public safety solutions include automated High Water Detection Systems that give advance warning to motorists of a flooded roadway ahead by activating flashing beacons, message signs, or automatic road barrier gates. Conditions at the warning stations are also monitored by Contrail® software that can issue alarms to key personnel and feed a public or intra-agency website. A well-designed system not only improves public safety but can also help a region conserve Emergency Management, Rescue and Road Department resources, and help in the overall response to flooding events.

FEATURED CASE STUDY

Flash flooding is the leading cause of weather-related fatalities nationwide and the State of Texas leads the country in weather-related and flood-related deaths. Bexar County, which is located in Central Texas and includes the city of San Antonio, is particularly vulnerable to flooding because storms stall along
the Balcones escarpment. In addition, its relatively dry climate and rolling hills create low water crossings that are highly susceptible to roadway flooding – earning this region the nickname “flash flood alley”.

Roy Alaquinez, Civil Engineering Assistant for the County of Bexar Public Works Department, has worked with High Sierra Electronics for over 10 years helping to reduce the risk to the public.

Watch Flooded Roadway Warning Systems Webinar Workshop

In most years, flooding is the #1 weather-related cause of death in the U.S. and consistently over 50% of those deaths occur to motorists in their cars. Problem spots include low water crossings, rail road underpasses, and areas prone to coastal flooding and storm surge.

Flooded Roadway Warning Systems are designed to achieve two primary goals: The first is to warn motorists they are approaching hazardous road flooding conditions, and the second is to give the motorist the opportunity to stay out of harm’s way.

This webinar workshop explores the use of High Water Detection Systems (HWDS) where sensors at the low flood-prone point in the road can automatically activate flashing beacons up ahead in the road in each direction to warn motorists of the danger ahead.