INDOT installs cameras on plow trucks to provide real-time look at road clearing

 

MISHAWAKA, Ind. -- With a Winter storm anticipated for New Years day, travelers might want to exercise caution, as the roads could be extra slick. 

“People know that when it’s snowing the roads could be hazardous and that they need to slow down, so we really want people to make smart choices and decisions," said Cassandra Bejak, with INDOT.

Bejak told ABC57 that they are keeping an eye on the forecast, as it's too early to tell where they want to focus their efforts when the snow starts to fall.

INDOT advised travelers to drive cautiously, as the forecast predicts the possibility of rain before the snowstorm, meaning the crews will be unable to pre-treat the roads-- and that rain could freeze. And since the storm is hitting over the weekend, the road crews won't be with their trucks unless they're called in, so it could take some extra time before they will be able to plow. 

While INDOT does not anticipate the roads to be busier than normal on Saturday, they do know that there could be extra traffic because of the holiday travel, and if those drivers want an idea of what the roads will look like before they set off-- INDOT has attached cameras to some of their plow trucks, that will transmit pictures while they're working to the INDOT website. 

Bejak said "That’s a really great tool to check out road conditions, especially if you’re travelling from one county to another, and you want to know what’s going on in that county. That’s something that people can check out and take a look at real time conditions instead of just verbal reporting on what people think the roads are going to look like, they’ll actually be able to see it.”

Those cameras can be viewed here: INDOT Trafficwise (511in.org)