Great Barrington — The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) has installed a new Intersection Conflict Warning System (ICWS) at the intersection of Route 7 and Mountain Regional High School Drive in Great Barrington. The new system, which is located at the driveway to the Monument Mountain Regional High School, seeks to help improve intersection safety and reduce crashes at this heavily traveled location. This is the first of such devices to be installed on a state highway in Massachusetts.
“MassDOT is pleased to work with state and local officials and stakeholders to facilitate the installation of the Intersection Conflict Warning System, which is the first of such devices to be installed on a state highway in Massachusetts,” said MassDOT Secretary and CEO Gina Fiandaca. “The new system will help improve safety at this busy intersection and provide students attending high school in this area additional traffic guidance and support while driving to and from school.”
The ICWS uses a radar sensor and two infrared sensors that trigger lights when traffic is approaching in this location. When those sensors detect traffic, they activate all of the flashing beacons on the mast arm and the LED arrays on the “T” intersection sign as well as the “STOP” and “YIELD” signs. After a brief hold period, all of the lights deactivate until another vehicle is sensed.
MassDOT worked with local officials from the Town of Great Barrington, school officials from Monument Mountain Regional High School, and other stakeholders to address concerns related to the school drive entrance and to propose and implement identified safety enhancements at this location. A stakeholder meeting was held in July 2021, and the design process and contractor selection were conducted in 2022. Installation operations, which were delayed due to supply chain issues, were conducted in March 2023.
