The next time you’re driving on the New York State Thruway, take a look up! As we transition from fall to winter and weather conditions change, the Thruway has some extra tools to help monitor traffic, assess road conditions, and respond to potential problems.

Fall is a beautiful time in New York State. If you’ve ever driven along the New York State Thruway, you know how magnificent the changing leaves can be! People from outside the state sometimes think New York is all about the massive city, but there are miles and miles of beautiful open spaces and scenic landscapes to explore along the Thruway.

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Recently, the New York State Thruway Authority shared a post featuring one of its drones capturing the beautiful fall foliage along the highway. The video offered a stunning look at the changing leaves while also sparking interest in how the Thruway uses drones to monitor conditions and keep an eye on what’s happening along the I-90 corridor.

How the New York State Thruway Uses Drones

The next time you’re taking a road trip between Buffalo and Albany, keep your eyes open. You might spot the New York State Thruway’s drone team using this technology to get a better view of the highway and surrounding areas.

Drones can provide a useful aerial perspective when crews need to assess traffic backups, accidents, or challenging weather conditions. During periods of heavy snowfall, this kind of information could help officials evaluate road conditions and make decisions about closures, detours, and other traffic-management measures.

New York State Drivers Should Prepare for Winter Weather

As we head toward winter, now is a good time to brush up on your winter driving skills and prepare for changing road conditions.

Across Western New York, we know how quickly the weather can change when lake-effect snow starts moving through the region. A clear stretch of highway can become difficult to navigate in a short amount of time.

Whether you’re commuting to work or planning a road trip across New York State, stay alert, watch the forecast, and give yourself extra time when winter weather arrives. You never know when those lake-effect snow machines might fire up!