Harsh events increase by 1750% during one 2-week bridge closure LAS VEGAS , Oct. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Geotab ITS , A two-week closure in June of the highly-traveled Memphis - Arkansas bridge connecting the states of Arkansas and Tennessee resulted in an 1750% increase in harsh driving events such as harsh braking and fast accelerations. A Geotab ITS study on commercial freight data on 5 key U.
S. bridges reveals that closures, whether short or long term, can have a significant impact on traffic congestion, increased risk of harsh events, and disruptions to the movement of goods beyond the region. Geotab ITS provided a snapshot into what can be expected with a longer term replacement project and 2026 planned closure of the Memphis-Arkansas Bridge.
The closure of the Memphis-Arkansas Bridge for two weeks in June 2024 led to increased traffic volume and travel times on the Hernando de Soto Bridge, with a 70.8% increase in travel time into TN and a 13.9% increase into AR during peak hours.
The other key state bridge, the Hernando de Soto Bridge (which already handles 63% of all trips between the states) saw an increase of 61% in trip counts and total vehicle counts rose by 23%. Total harsh event counts peaked at 3 p.m.
, with 74 total harsh events recorded during the hour for vehicles traveling into Tennessee . This represents a 1,750% increase in harsh events observed on the Hernando de Soto Bridge during the closure compared to when the Memphis-Arkansas Bridge was open. Heavi.
