News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
T-DOT Engineers are examining lanes of Interstate 40 after multiple hydroplaning incidents in a 3-mile area last week.
Survey crews are using Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) to create 3-D models to analysis the geometry of the road. Communication Officer Jennifer Flynn said things such as the road’s slope and lane widths will be examined.
“We take these things very seriously,” Flynn said. “When we here of something like this, it does get our attention. We just want to make sure that there is not something that we really need to look at out there.”
All four accidents occurred Thursday in the west lanes from mile marker 294 to 297. Flynn said T-DOT is reviewing the accidents reports for any similarities. Flynn said while driving in the rain, people should reduce their speed and give other drivers room.
“When we have speed limits out there, that is the highest suggested speed for optimal conditions,” Flynn said. “(…) If in the event like last week there is a lot of rain, people a lot of times will continue to go 65 or faster in those conditions. Sometimes it rains so quickly, that it does not drain immediately.”
Flynn said open graded friction course roads, a porous asphalt that drains water to reduce hydroplaning, are usually used for interstates to increase safety. On the Upper Cumberland Plateau, these roads can not be used. The skid-resistant topping does not do well in winter weather and makes it more difficult to keep the roadways open during freezing conditions.
