The Ohio Department of Transportation’s Ohio State Route 165 High Water Notification System installed a sensor‑based high‑water warning system to provide real-time alerts that help protect motorists from flooding hazards in a wetland area. 

This $22,000 project improved reliability by providing a warning system that would alert the motoring public when water from a nearby stream was about to flood the roadway. In the past, motorists could potentially drive into high water if the roadway flooded before crews could place the proper warning signs. 

When water approaches the roadway, a flashing beacon activates to alert motorists. This warning signals the dangers ahead and notifies Ohio DOT to deploy barriers and close the roadway. 

This system keeps traffic flowing by allowing the motoring public to access the posted detour and not drive into high water where they must turn around and increase congestion. This also helped eliminate the need for EMS personnel and police to rescue motorists trapped by flood waters.