The Point: Construction will begin later this year on the innovative 15 Smart Freeway Pilot Project in Temecula and Murrieta
It’s the 21st Century and our highways need a software upgrade. The Riverside County Transportation Commission in partnership with Caltrans and the City of Temecula will start construction on the 15 Smart Freeway Pilot Project in Temecula and Murrieta this summer.
RCTC secured funding through a Community Funding Project Program submitted by Congressman Ken Calvert in 2022. Since then, the project team has been busy designing and preparing for construction of the new “Smart Freeway” system that will be installed along the heavily congested 8-mile portion of northbound Interstate 15 from the San Diego/Riverside county line in Temecula to the I-15/I-215 Interchange in Murrieta.
Construction is anticipated to begin during the summer this year, and once construction is complete, RCTC will activate the system for a two-year operations pilot.
“Smart” improvements will be made to the 8-mile, non-tolled section of northbound I-15. Improvements include new sensors that sit at tire-level and track the volume of cars on the interstate and ramps. Ramp metering technology will continuously monitor and adjust to real-time traffic conditions as vehicles enter the freeway from the Temecula Parkway, Rancho California Road, and Winchester Road on-ramps. This coordinated smart system will work together to control traffic and increase safety within the corridor.
The system will monitor traffic on the northbound I-15 and turn on when congestion builds up in the project area. Once the system turns on, drivers will notice that traffic signals on the Temecula Parkway, Rancho California Road and Winchester Road ramps are activated. The light sequencing will be coordinated between the three ramps to allow cars onto the interstate where gaps open up. The system also monitors the on-ramp car queue of cars on the on-ramps and cycles faster to avoid any backup onto local streets.
Drivers may also notice changeable message signs on I-15 that say, “Slow Traffic Ahead” and will list the real-time recommended speed of traffic ahead to warn drivers to slow down. When traffic is free-flowing again, the ramp signals will shut off until needed again.
What’s next? RCTC will be hosting a series of in-person and virtual community open house meetings for the public to learn more about the project and upcoming construction, with the opportunity to ask questions of the project team.
Meeting Information:
In-Person: Thursday, March 14 at 5:30 p.m.
Temecula City Hall Conference Center
41000 Main St, Temecula, CA 92590
Virtual: Thursday, March 21 at 6:00 p.m.
via Zoom
To register for the virtual meeting, click here
Interested in learning more about our project? Watch our project overview video.
For more information about the Smart Freeway Pilot Project, please visit https://www.rctc.org/projects/smart-fwy-pilot/