After struggling with cameras, the Montana Department of Transportation installed SmartSensor Matrix at intersections leading into and out of the west gate of Yellowstone National Park. The difference is dramatic in the town of West Yellowstone, Montana.
Overview
Josh Watson, who works in traffic signal operations for the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) in Bozeman, oversees crucial intersections near Yellowstone National Park’s West Gate—the park’s busiest entrance, handling over 1.5 million visitors annually.
Challenges of Traffic Management in Yellowstone
- Hazardous Travel Conditions: The drive from Bozeman to West Yellowstone is treacherous, especially in areas like Big Sky to Gateway, which are marked with numerous roadside memorials (white crosses) due to traffic fatalities.
- Weather Extremes: Rapid temperature shifts and intense winter conditions can render camera systems ineffective—snow and fog obstruct visibility and detection.
- Camera Limitations: Traditional vehicle detection using cameras often fails in bad weather or glare, leading to traffic delays and unnecessary trips for on-site troubleshooting (e.g., 2–4 hour drives to check on an issue possibly caused by fog).
Solution: Wavetronix Radar Detection
- Technology Upgrade: MDT replaced cameras with Wavetronix Matrix radar detection at the intersection.
- Performance Benefits:
- Weatherproof: Radar performs reliably in fog, snow, rain, and glare—conditions that cripple camera systems.
- Accurate Detection: Unlike cameras, radar isn’t disrupted by environmental build-up or false detections.
- Maintenance Efficiency: Reduced the number of field trips for system checks and saved costs on equipment upkeep.
- Improved Safety: Fewer risky drives for Josh and others responsible for maintenance.
Conclusion
The transition to Wavetronix radar has significantly improved traffic signal reliability and safety at Yellowstone’s West Gate. Josh praises its effectiveness, highlighting reduced maintenance burdens and enhanced performance under the park’s harsh natural conditions.
