The Madison Beltline Flex Lane (Flex Lane) Project was awarded the Intelligent Transportation Society of Wisconsin’s 2022 Project of the Year Award, which recognizes quality projects or initiatives based in the State of Wisconsin that leverage technology to enhance transportation mobility, safety, and economic activity.
This project involved significant Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) improvements between US 18/151/Verona Road and I-39/90. The Beltline carries more than 130,000 vehicles per day. The Flex Lane allows for part-time use of median shoulders for travel during the busiest hours of the day to address recurring congestion and improve travel time reliability. ITS devices implemented included more than 50 Lane-use Control Signs, 36 closed circuit television cameras, 18 detectors, and 5 dynamic message signs. More than 9 miles of existing and new fiber optic cables were deployed and integrated to system components to improve communications infrastructure. The system is operated through the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s Traffic Management Center.