The Indiana Department of Transportation plans to install signs and flashing yellow warning lights at the State Road 46 West/Lower Schooner Road intersection early next year.

The devices are called Intersection Conflict Warning Systems (ICWS) and are being installed at various intersections across the state. This is the only one planned for Brown County so far.

Intersection Conflict Warning Systems are put in place to alert drivers of oncoming traffic at two-way, stop-controlled intersections. They reduce severe crashes by up to 20 to 30 percent, according to the Federal Highway Administration.

State Road 46 West/Lower Schooner was chosen for an ICWS because of its crash history, traffic volume and the sight distance at the intersection, said INDOT spokesperson Natalie Garrett.

“Traffic volumes on both roads cannot be too high for these systems to work effectively. Otherwise, the lights would always be flashing,” she said.

INDOT will install lights and signage to alert drivers on both intersecting roads that traffic is approaching or there is a waiting vehicle. The ICWS uses vehicle detection under the pavement to trigger the system.

“The lights and signage provide drivers with a real-time warning of vehicles either approaching the intersection on the major road or waiting at the stop sign to enter the intersection from the minor road,” INDOT reported.

“Drivers should use the lights as a warning that traffic could be approaching on the major road or turning onto the major road from the minor road. Drivers should still use care even if the lights are not flashing.”

If local leaders would like to see these devices considered for other intersections with state roads, they could contact INDOT for a traffic study, Garrett said.