What is Gateway Guide?
Gateway Guide is a program by the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) that aims to ease traffic and enhance safety in the St. Louis region. The program operates 24/7 and employs various advanced devices that help optimize the transportation system.
The program collects and disseminates real-time traffic data to help drivers avoid delays caused by accidents, roadworks, or congestion. Drivers can access this information through web, phone, or message signs. This way, they can make informed choices about their routes and reduce traffic jams. The program also shares the information and camera footage with the media for traffic reports.
MoDOT's Gateway Guide empowers you to make smarter travel decisions
The St. Louis Transportation Management Center. It is located near the I-64 and Route 141 interchange in Town and Country, Missouri. Its address is 14301 South Outer 40 Road, Town and Country, MO 63017.
Why does St. Louis need MoDOT’s Gateway Guide?
The Gateway Guide program better manages the growing amount of traffic on Missouri roadways. By using the resources available through Gateway Guide, MoDOT can maximize the use of the region’s existing road system and minimize the effect of incidents on area roadways. Look at how incidents can tangle traffic:
- Approximately 60 percent of congestion is caused by incidents.
- During peak traffic hours, one minute of lane blockage causes about 4 minutes of congestion.
- A vehicle on the shoulder of the road reduces the capacity of the closest lane by 20 percent.
MoDOT’s Gateway Guide program not only helps relieve congestion, it also helps reduce air pollution. Since idling or unmoving vehicles and their emissions are one of the leading sources of air pollution, reducing traffic congestion will help reduce air pollution and positively impact the region’s air quality.
Removing incidents from the roadway reduces secondary crashes. Gateway Guide operators monitor the interstate highways and state routes in the St. Louis region. This allows them to identify possible problem areas and dispatch response crews quickly.
Congestion costs
Average cost for commuters for one minute of congestion delay
MoDOT TMC
The MoDOT Transportation Management Center is staffed around the clock to monitor roadway conditions, identify incidents and to dispatch the appropriate emergency response forces to those incidents.
Traffic sensors
Traffic sensors provide information on traffic speed and volume on the highways. Significant changes in speeds or volumes alert the TMC staff as it could indicate an incident on the roadway.
Closed-circuit cameras
Closed circuit cameras provide live video of area highways to pinpoint incidents. Those feeds can be viewed on MoDOT's traveler map and are often shared by local media stations.
Dynamic Message Boards
Dynamic Message Boards, or Overhead Message Boards, provide information on travel times to drivers, as well as information on changing road conditions or lane closures on the roadway ahead.
Gateway Guide (TIM) site
MoDOT's Gateway Guide uses the department's Traveler Information Map to share current roadway conditions, incidents, construction work zones and traffic speeds, as well as views from live roadway cameras.
Social Media
Real-time information about lane closures and roadway incidents is shared on Twitter @StLouisTraffic. Drivers can share concerns or get general department information Facebook or Twitter at @MoDOT_StLouis.
Emergency Response
The Emergency Response team patrols the interstate to assist with clearing incidents off the road to help traffic move. They respond to crashes and other roadway incidents and help stranded motorists.
Coordinated signals
Signals along a corridor are often coordinated to help move traffic along. The purpose of coordination and optimization is to continue to keep traffic flowing, while minimizing stops for traffic on the highest volume route .
You can help
You can help by buckling up and putting your phone down. Also move over for vehicles on the side of the roadway, especially emergency vehicles, and move to the shoulder if you are in a crash, and your vehicle is drivable.