HARRISON TOWNSHIP, Ohio -- The Ohio Department of Transportation calls it an "Intelligent Highway System."

ODOT officials are introducing it to the public in the Dayton area Friday morning.

It's a series of automated traffic information signs that are installed overhead on local freeways.

The first sign in the Dayton area, though not yet operational, has been installed. ODOT workers installed it in the southbound lanes of Interstate 75 in Harrison Township between Needmore Road and the Timber Lane Overpass.

It's one of five signs to be installed in the first phase of this project. The first phase is estimated to cost about 1.65 million dollars.

The signs display short warnings in large digital letters against a black background.

The signs warn drivers of construction zones, crashes up ahead or lane and freeway closings. They can also be used to list travel times from one spot to another. Occasionally, the signs are used to pass along law enforcement information especially in cases of an Amber Alert.

ODOT plans to use AM radio channels in conjunction with the signs to give drivers even more information about what's going on up ahead of them.

The project was not scheduled to begin this early, but planners pushed it forward to help commuters deal with the rebuilding of Interstate 75 through downtown Dayton.

The entire project has an $8 million pricetag and there's no specific target date for completion. ODOT officials said that when the project is completed, there will be signs on Interstates 75, 70 and 675 as well as on Route 35, Route 4 and Route 49. 

(Article courtesy of WHIOTV.com)