The US Department of Transportation has awarded a grant to a company based in Wisconsin to develop a new highway incident detection and warning system for the state’s highways.

The $700,000 grant to Central Signal is aimed at developing a wireless sensor network-based technology that would enable transportation authorities to reduce traffic incidents and congestion.

Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle said the resulting technology would have far-reaching benefits.

“Such a system will increase highway safety, save lives, reduce injuries and conserve wasted resources, which will not only benefit the State of Wisconsin but the rest of the nation,” Doyle said.