Some confusing signs in the North County could end up making your drive up and down Interstate 15 more enjoyable.
The signs are for I-15, but they also list of series of alphabetical routes -- from A to T.
"It's an integrated corridor management system," said Ray Traynor, director of operations for the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG). "We call it 'ICM' for short."
The signs offer alternate routes for drivers hoping to avoid sitting in traffic on I-15.
"When motorists have followed these recommendations, they're saving about 10 percent of the time that they might have spent had they been stuck in a delay," said Traynor.
The pilot program is one of only two across the country -- the other is in Dallas -- to receive money from the federal government.
Traynor said the traffic information would be updated in real time using a number of traffic information sources.
"It's a complicated computer-supported system," he said.
That information will then analyze the best route for drivers who are about to hit that traffic. Alternate routes will be offered off I-15 and on to surface streets. Drivers will get those recommendations on the giant digital Caltrans signs above the highway or on their smartphones via the 511 San Diego app.
"Motorists are already doing this, but they're doing this based on sort of a gut feel," said Traynor.
The ICM system basically put those gut feelings on a map.
The system is expected to go online Thursday.
If it is successful, Traynor said SANDAG would expand it throughout San Diego County.
