WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI (WSAU) — The city of Wisconsin Rapids and the Wisconsin DOT are making it easier to navigate west-side streets that are notorious for train delays.
Predictive Mobility Rail Safety System sensors are being installed at crossings and will use data from the rail company to alert users to potential delays. Mayor Matt Zacher says that will be especially helpful to first responders.
“It’s a sensor that will tell everybody where the trains are and how long they will be there,” said Zacher. “That way EMS and fire can redirect immediately because they know where the trains are and what roads are open or closed.”
Residents will have access to the same information, allowing them to avoid busy crossings.
Most of the rail traffic comes from a busy rail spur. The city has also tried to relocate a chemical company, which would help ease some of the interference, but that project failed to get off the ground.
A WisDOT grant covered 80% of the funding. The city’s share was covered through the downtown Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district.
Zacher notes that the sensors do not operate like FLOCK cameras. They do not track license plates and do not contain facial recognition sensors. They also aren’t designed to track speeding or other moving violations.
The city has set up a website with more information and frequently asked questions.
Other topics Zacher discussed with WSAU’s Mike Leischner include:
Start of video- Data center updates including potential moratorium
12:20- Predictive Mobility Rail Safety System
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