Pennsylvania Turnpike to Pilot Advanced Warning System Ahead of Slow Traffic Conditions
Pennsylvania Turnpike to Pilot Advanced Warning System Ahead of Slow Traffic Conditions
New pilot comes during National Work Zone Awareness Week
Middletown, Pa. — As part of its commitment to providing a safe, reliable roadway and customer-valued toll road, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PA Turnpike) will be piloting a new advanced warning system designed to alert drivers about stopped or slow traffic ahead. The Queue Warning System (QWS) uses real-time traffic detection to identify backlogs and then provides an alert to drivers via the portable changeable message signage.
“This QWS is a unique initiative that supports advanced communication to customers ahead of roadway work, providing more time for our customers to safely slow down,” said Tom Macchione, Director of Traffic Engineering & Operations for the PA Turnpike. “Keeping customers informed of what is ahead, supports roadway safety and helps protect our workers who are working along the roadway.”
Equipment detects slow moving or stopped traffic, which then triggers an alert. Two messages are displayed to travelers ahead – the first occurs approximately two miles away and then a second is displayed approximately ½ mile away from the slow-moving vehicles. The system moves with the work and can be adjusted based on backlogs.
Starting this week, the system will be used for overnight delineation work, which includes placing pavement markings and roadway signage. This work takes place northbound and southbound on the Northeast Extension between MP 26 to MP 20. This work will occur during overnight hours, with minimal impacts to traffic. Drivers may experience potential backups during the onset of work, shortly after 7 p.m.
Starting the week of April 26, the system will be used for overnight milling and paving operations southbound on the Northeast Extension between MP 26 to MP 20. The PA Turnpike performs overnight work to minimize disruptions to customers. The southbound milling and paving operations takes up to two months. Following the completion of the southbound work, milling and paving operations will begin northbound.
The PA Turnpike will evaluate the effectiveness of the pilot and may deploy this throughout work along its system. This is one of the PA Turnpike’s initiatives to improve roadway safety for its employees and the half of million customers who use it daily.
An annual observance aimed at promoting safe driving through work zones, National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW) takes place April 20-24, 2026.
A national transportation leader, the Pennsylvania Turnpike (PA Turnpike) is the second largest tolling facility in the United States with the most miles. The PA Turnpike proudly supports safety and convenience for its more than 550,000 daily customers through 24-7 roadside assistance, round-the-clock food and fuel at 17 service plazas and a dedicated maintenance force and State Police Troop. The PA Turnpike’s approximately 1,400-person local workforce is unified in its mission; to operate a safe, reliable, customer-valued toll road system that supports national mobility and commerce. For more information about the PA Turnpike’s mission, vision and values, please visit Home | PA Turnpike.
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Media Contacts:
Marissa Orbanek, Press Secretary: (267) 408-5151, morbanek@paturnpike.com
Crispin Havener, Assistant Press Secretary: (717) 870-2841, chavener@paturnpike.com