ALERT Projects

Advanced LED Warning Signs for Rural IntersecTions Powered by Renewable Energy by Dr. Taek Kwon

In Minnesota, approximately 70 percent of all intersection-related fatal crashes occur at rural, through/stop intersections. Static warning signs are commonly used as a response to these intersection crashes however they appear to be ineffective. The ALERT research projects were created and funded through LRRB and MnDOT to focus on development of a dynamic-sign solution for reducing crashes at rural high-speed through/stop intersections. The acronym, ALERT, is derived from the title of the original research project entitled, Advanced LED Warning Signs for Rural IntersecTions Powered by Renewable Energy. The ALERT system consists of vehicle detectors that detect approaching or stopped vehicles and LED warning signs that blink according to the received messages from the detectors. For easy installation, all signs and detectors are powered by solar panels and rechargeable batteries. All message communications between the detectors and warning signs are performed through wireless transceivers. Wireless communication avoids potential problems associated with buried wires, i.e., wire breakages, short circuits, difficulty of replacement, and monthly power bills. The ALERT-1 project was completed on Feb 28th, 2011. The ALERT-2 project was started Dec 2011 and expected to be completed by Jun 30th, 2014.

  1. ALERT-1 Project, completed on Feb 2011
  2. ALERT-2 Project, to be completed on June 2014