Variable Speed Limits for I-670?

Gov. Kasich has been a transportation kick lately — from his fixation with autonomous vehicles, to setting up a smart corridor for robot trucks, he is really in the mix.

So it should come as no surprise he is willing to test variable speed limits on heavy traffic interstate, I-670.

Kasich is asking the Ohio Legislature to push through legislation allowing variable speed limits that would change based on how heavy the traffic is. Columbus (I-670 between N. 3th St. and Exit 5.) The 1.7-mile stretch accounts for 293,000 hours of delay each year according to a 2015 report by American Highway Users Alliance.

If passed it would be rolled out as early as summer 2018 on I-670 in Columbus. If successful, it could expand. The measure has officially passed the House according to the Dayton Daily News, and it now heads to the state Senate.

The speed limits could drop to as low as 45 mph in certain areas during the heaviest traffic flow according to Matt Bruning, spokesman for the Ohio Department of Transportation — ODOT is suggesting that one of the shoulders open up to help move traffic as part of the legislation.