Turnpike tackles questions from Customers

The Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission is committed to excellence in customer service. In the spirit of that commitment, Randy Cole, Executive Director, answers E-ZPass® questions from readers. This is the fourth such "Q & A" in a periodic series.

Question: How do we know when our E-ZPass transponder battery has reached the end of its useful life? (From Thomas and Phyllis Sullivan of North Royalton, Ohio)

Answer: Ohio customers will receive a new transponder before their existing one reaches the end of its expected normal lifespan (8-12 years). If customers are experiencing problems with a transponder being read at the toll booth they should contact our Customer Service Center. Representatives are available Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. at 1-88-TURNPIKE.

Customers may first want to make sure that their E-ZPass transponder is mounted correctly, behind the rear view mirror on the windshield. It's the best way to ensure there won't be any problems in the E-ZPass lanes at the toll gates.

Randy Cole
Executive Director

Trooper Andrew Clouser shares safety message following recovery from snowstorm crash of March 12, 2014

The Traffic Incident Management and Quick Clear Procedures of the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) and the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission were put to the test on March 12, 2014, when a series of accidents occurred on the Turnpike during a major snowstorm.

Trooper Andrew Clouser was injured during one of these accidents when he was struck and pinned by a vehicle as he attempted to assist a victim. Recently, Trooper Clouser appeared in a Public Service Announcement (below) produced by OSHP, the Ohio Turnpike and seniors at Avon High School in Avon, Ohio. The seniors were led by their instructor in Language Arts and Media, Mr. Michael Tokarczyk. The lasting message being conveyed is that customers should slow down for their safety during bad weather and pay close attention to the driving task.

Turnpike work zone signs warn drivers of lane changes

The Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission is committed to informing customers of construction-related lane changes that may affect their travels, according to Chief Engineer Anthony Yacobucci.

“We begin on-road notification with our portable electronic message signs," said Yacobucci. "These signs appear 6-10 miles in advance of the actual location where traffic becomes split into two lanes with a concrete barrier in between them."

As drivers get closer to a median wall-divided lane split they will notice signage advising them to "KEEP RIGHT" in order to be able to exit at a particular interchange. Currently, there are two such locations: Exit 161 westbound in Cuyahoga County and Exit 145 eastbound in Lorain County. There are notification signs two miles prior, one mile prior, and 1/2 mile prior to traffic lanes that are divided by a concrete barrier. Customers must stay in the right lane to avoid missing their exit.

"Please pay close attention to the signage," added Yacobucci. "We don't want our customers to be inconvenienced during construction season and this is our largest capital improvement program in more than a decade. The pavement replacement program work being done will ensure a smooth surface in the years ahead."

Anthony Yacobucci
Chief Engineer

Watch out for motorcycles on the roads this summer

Spring and summer means blue skies, sunshine and an increase in motorcycle traffic on Ohio roadways.

The Ohio Turnpike is asking drivers to stay alert for motorcycles to prevent crashes. Today, more people are riding motorcycles than ever before. Over half of all motorcycle crashes involve another vehicle. Most of the time, the motorist, not the motorcyclist, is at fault. Because of its small size, a motorcycle can be easily hidden in a car's blind spots or masked by objects or backgrounds outside a car.

The average age of motorcycle riders has increased, and more women are driving than ever before, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Riders represent almost every demographic group in the country.

The majority of people who die in crashes are riding sport motorcycles with mid-size engines designed to maximize speed and agility. Helmets, while not always popular among motorcycle enthusiasts, reduce the risk of death in a crash by 37 percent and reduce the risk of head injury by 69 percent.

"Motorists often have trouble seeing motorcycle riders and reacting in time so please use caution this summer," said Ed Miller, Safety Services Manager for the Ohio Turnpike.

Safety Tips for Motorcyclists

When driving on the Ohio Turnpike, motorcycle riders are encouraged to:

• Stay in a single file through the toll booths, if traveling with other riders;
• A rider's vest pocket is the optimal location for an E-ZPass transponder;
• Observe posted speed limits including 10 mph in toll lanes;
• Be especially aware when approaching a toll booth;
• Use reflective strips or decals on clothing and on the motorcycle;
• Wear leather or other thick, protective clothing, boots and gloves;
• Avoid weaving between lanes;
• Wear a helmet.

 

Join us at our Customer Appreciation event on May 29

The Ohio Turnpike will kick off a busy summer travel season when it teams up with Hardee's Food Systems, Inc., to host a Customer Appreciation Day at the Wyandot Service Plaza (milepost 76.9 eastbound) on Friday, May 29 from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. It's the first of six such events in 2015.

At the Wyandot Service Plaza, Hardee's will provide free samples, lunch specials, and also will give away four free tickets to Cedar Point. In addition, the Ohio Turnpike, AVI Food Systems, the Ohio State Highway Patrol and Sunoco will participate with children's activities, coupons, samples and traffic safety information. The Patrol, for example, will have two motorcycles and a new car on the grounds for children to sit in and be able to interact with a uniformed trooper.

Slow Down My Daddy/Mommy Works Here signs erected

The Ohio Turnpike recently installed signs that remind drivers that workers in work zones are not just part of a crew but also part of someone's family. Special safety/caution signs with the message, "Slow Down My Daddy/Mommy Works Here" are present at the acceleration ramps from Ohio Turnpike Service Plazas.

“These signs are a great reminder that construction and maintenance workers are someone's loved one," said Adam Greenslade, Director of Government Affairs, Marketing and Communications for the Ohio Turnpike. "We all need to be reminded to slow down in work zones and these signs add a personal message that we hope will resonate and change driver behavior to everyone's benefit."

Beginning this week (on Monday, May 18) Ohio Turnpike customers traveling after dark will notice an increase in the number of active work zones at night. The Ohio Turnpike, for the second season in a row, is staffing night-time work zones with Turnpike maintenance workers.

Maintenance operations, such as full depth and partial depth pavement repairs, joint sealing, and raised pavement marker replacement require closing two lanes of traffic. As a result of the double lane closures, traffic can back up during the heavily traveled summer season.

"The benefit to the customer is there are fewer lane restrictions during day-time travel, which means reaching your destination on time," said Chris Matta, Maintenance Engineer. "Although customers may be familiar with seeing work zone signage and traffic drums at night, they will notice an increase in night-time activity within work zones."

Portable message boards will caution customers prior to arriving in the night-time work zones, which will be in use in four work zones in the eastbound lanes between Windham Township in Portage County and Perrysburg Township in Wood County (Milepost 202 to 64). Currently, there is one night-time work zone scheduled in the westbound lanes at Milepost 139 in Amherst Township (Lorain County).

Chris Matta
Mainteance Enginner
 

“Ohio Turnpike maintenance crews place the highest priority on customer convenience, which is why we're operating work zones during night-time hours--so that daytime travelers reach their destinations without delay.”
-- Chris Matta, Maintenance Engineer

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Published by the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission,
Randy Cole, Executive Director
Adam Greenslade, Director of Government Affairs, Marketing and Communications
Questions or suggestions? Contact Brian Newbacher, Editor, brian.newbacher@ohioturnpike.org.

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Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission
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Berea, OH 44017
440-234-2081

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