A Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI), sometimes known as a double crossover diamond, is an innovative interchange configuration with many safety benefits. DDIs reduce conflict points — places where traffic either merges or intersects —from 18 to eight and reduce the severity of crashes when compared to a conventional interchange.

A new DDI has recently opened at I-4 and County Road (C.R.) 532 in Osceola County and, while it brings with it all the safety benefits of a traditional DDI, additional technology features are being added to make the interchange even safer. These include:

• Wrong Way Vehicle Detection System (WWVDS) – This technology produces an alarm when a vehicle is detected traveling in the wrong direction (see above photo). The detection system monitors all lanes, including shoulders.
• Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras – A series of cameras will provide constant video coverage of the intersection. These maneuverable cameras will provide traffic administrators with real-time video to identify incidents and ensure traffic is flowing smoothly.
• Advanced technology signalization with pedestrian and vehicle detection systems.

The Florida Department of Transportation is also implementing other safety features to enhance visibility and reduce confusion for drivers both approaching and already within the intersection.

• Thermoplastic pavement markings with glass beads to increase visibility.
• Wrong way arrows with reflective pavement markers (RPMs).
• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant ramps with detectable warning surfaces.
• Streetlights.
• Guardrails.
• High-visibility crosswalks.
• Wrong-way signage.
• Signalized pedestrian crossings.

To further reduce severity of crashes within the interchange and allow motorists more time to smoothly navigate through the horizontal layout of the interchange, the speed limit was lowered from 35 mph to 25 mph.

For more information on DDIs, visit i4beyond.com/DDI.