Overview
- Governor Maura Healey and state transportation and police officials announced the statewide expansion Wednesday, with MassDOT saying it will spend up to $75 million to upgrade detection and prevention at more than 400 locations.
- The rollout scales a 2022 pilot that used 16 thermal sensors and cameras to spot wrong‑way vehicles and trigger flashing LED warnings that prompt drivers to turn around.
- Officials reported an immediate benefit when a newly activated detector on the morning of the announcement alerted a driver who then turned around before merging the wrong way.
- The Massachusetts Senate unanimously approved a budget amendment calling for expanded infrastructure, new police training and studies on older drivers, and negotiators will decide whether that language is included in the final budget.
- The initiative responds to a string of fatal crashes, including the death of Trooper Kevin Trainor, and aims to reduce deaths and near‑misses cited in AAA and state data by adding signage, lighting, ramp changes, temporary detection trailers and trials to push alerts to mapping apps.