PennDOT vehicles enforcing speed limits in work zone on Boulevard of the Allies

PennDOT has launched a new automated system that records the speed of vehicles traveling through work zones to make it safer for road repair crews.

The electronic speed timing devices, which will be mounted on vehicles so they can easily be moved to various locations, were deployed Monday in seven active work zones across the state during a required 60 day pre-enforcement period that concludes on March 4. Until then, vehicle speeds will be recorded, but fines will not be issued.

PennDOT will use the vehicles to enforce work zone speed limits. The devices have been installed in Pittsburgh along the Boulevard of the Allies between Bates Street and McAnulty Drive near the Duquesne University campus.

The six other locations where the speed detectors are being used are:

• Interstate 78 in Berks County between mile markers 35 and 43

• Interstate 476 in Montgomery County between mile markers 31 and 38

• Interstate 83 in York County at Exit 4

• US 1 in Bucks County

• Interstate 276 in Bucks County

• US 1 in Philadelphia at the Wayne Avenue Viaduct.

After March 4, the registered owner of a vehicle that exceeds the posted speed limit in a work zone will receive a warning letter for the first offense. A second offense will result in a $75 fine, and each subsequent violation will cost the vehicle owner $150.

Signs will be posted to alert motorists that they are about to enter the enforcement area, and the system only will be used when workers are present.

The location for the areas where enforcement will be conducted also will be posted online once the system has been launched statewide.

“It’s important to remember that the Automated Work Zone Speed Enforcement program isn’t about issuing violations, it’s about saving lives,” said Yassmin Gramian, acting PennDOT secretary.

“The goal is to encourage motorists to slow down in work zones, change their behavior and ultimately improve safety for both motorists and workers,” she said.

In 2018, There were 1,804 work zone crashes in Pennsylvania in 2018 that resulted in 23 fatalities, according to the transportation agency.

Two other states, Illinois and Maryland, currently use automated work zone speed enforcement systems.

Maryland started using what it calls “SafeZones,” in work zones on its highways and interstates in 2010, said David Abrams, a spokesman for the Maryland State Highway Administration.

“We know the program is working because you can see a precipitous drop in the number of citations issued over time,” he said.

The number of drivers exceeding the work zone speed limit by 12 mph or more has dropped from 7% when the program began to less than 1%, he said.

“Clearly, the system has done its job,” he said.

Staff writer Brian Rittmeyer contributed to this story. Tony LaRussa is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Tony at 724-772-6368, tlarussa@tribweb.com or via Twitter @TonyLaRussaTrib.