Georgia DOT is using advanced warning signage and “queue trucks” along Interstate 24 in Dade County to alert drivers to slowdowns and road work before the work zone comes into view—an added safety step on a hilly, curving stretch where visibility can be limited.

I-24 briefly cuts through northwest Georgia for just a few miles before returning to Tennessee, but the corridor carries heavy traffic and serves as a key route between Chattanooga and Nashville. With construction activity such as lane closures and crews working near traffic, GDOT says the early warning system helps reduce the risk of sudden braking and rear-end crashes.

The queue truck—a flatbed with a message board—is positioned beyond the end of backed-up traffic to warn approaching motorists that a slowdown is ahead. “Crashes in work zones can be especially dangerous with crews working so close to traffic,” said Grant Waldrop, Georgia DOT District Six Engineer.

Officials also point to distracted driving as a major factor in traffic crashes, making clear, earlier alerts even more important in active work zones. GDOT expects to continue using these warning methods on other interstate projects, including future maintenance work.

Read more in Georgia Milepost Magazine: HERE