WYDOT adds notice about rollover hazards during high winds in state

Map 551 notifications will display weight advisories for CMVs heading into high wind areas.

WYDOT will monitor current and forecast wind speeds and road conditions to determine how heavy a commercial vehicle or trailer must be to avoid rollover.

Information will be updated in real time and is already available in WYDOT 511 tools. These warnings will only apply in locations with appropriate signage.

“WYDOT will monitor current and forecast wind speeds, as well as road geometry, to determine how heavy a commercial vehicle or other trailer needs to be to avoid the risk of a severe impact, and will update these messages in real time. Regardless, drivers are advised to use common sense when traveling on windy days,” WYDOT said in a press release.

New weight-based messaging is made possible by research from the University of Wyoming.

WYDOT first began distributing “Closed to Lightweight, High Profile Vehicle” messages during high wind conditions in 2011.