As part of our mission to ensure the safety of our customers, the Central Florida Expressway Authority (CFX) began work on its Wrong-Way Driving Prevention Program in 2012 in partnership with the University of Central Florida. The program was broken out into three phases. To date, we have 63 wrong-way ramp detection systems and 10 mainline detection systems throughout the 125-mile expressway system.
Phase 1 – Completed in May 2013, extensive research was conducted to determine the extent of the wrong-way driving problem and examine potential solutions. It was determined that no technology currently in use adequately addresses wrong-way driving. Texas had the best approach available.
Phase 2 – Completed in January 2016, Phase 2 included the development of technology to help detect wrong-way drivers and take appropriate action. During this phase:
- Different technologies were evaluated.
- The manufacturer added a confirmation camera.
- Feasibility tests were conducted to determine the best technologies to implement.
- Testing began in January 2015 at the State Road 528 / State Road 520 Interchange. Additional testing sites were added at the State Road 408 / Hiawassee Road Interchange and the State Road 408/Kirkman Road Interchange for a total of 5 WWD pilot locations. Data from the test sites will be collected for the duration of the study.
- During the testing period, the system will be active and will alert the Regional Traffic Management Center (RTMC) if a wrong-way driver is detected.
- RTMC has a standard procedure that includes notifications to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Phase 3 – CFX installed our first wrong-way driving detection system in 2015 at the State Road 528/State Road 520 Interchange.
By January 2026, we were detecting wrong-way driving at 71 ramp locations throughout the CFX system, with the last new location added in September of 2025. From the period of February 2015 through January 2026, our system has detected a total of 2,722 wrong way movements with a result of 2,404 documented turn arounds (88%).
To learn more, click here for the Fact Sheet.