Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What is TRIMARC?

Answer: For an overview of what TRIMARC is, please refer to the "About TRIMARC" page of the TRIMARC website.

Question: Who is the contracting agency for TRIMARC?

Answer: Responsibility for TRIMARC rests with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.

Question: If the TRIMARC Freeway Service Patrol stops to assist me with vehicle problems on the interstate, is there a charge?

Answer: No, there is no charge. The goal of the FSP service is to improve safety for all motorists by offering assist to perform minor repairs so vehicles and their occupants can be removed from harms way. For more information about the TRIMARC Freeway Service Patrols, see the Service Patrols page of the TRIMARC website.

Question: Who controls the program?

Answer: The KYTC Project Manager and the Northrop Grumman Project Manager (Policy Team) control the TRIMARC program. They take guidance from federal policy, the Kentuckiana Regional Planning and Development Agency (KIPDA), local political and emergency service leaders and the public.

Question: How is TRIMARC funded?

Answer: The program is funded by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet in association with Federal Highway. The money comes from several sources within these agencies including CMAQ (Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality) and general funds. Equipment installed in Indiana is wholly paid by Indiana and likewise in Kentucky.

Question: Why doesn't TRIMARC operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week?

Answer: The funding is not sufficient to cover 24/7 operations. The operating hours (6:30AM to 6:30PM) were determined to provide service during the period of greatest need. The Control Center is also open for special events such as Thunder Over Louisville. The TRIMARC staff is available during off-hours in the event of a major incident affecting the controlled interstate system.

Question: What is the policy for putting messages on the big, overhead, electronic message signs?

Answer: The signs are to provide motorists with information regarding safety and traffic conditions. Other transportation related messages may be posted if approved by the Policy Team. These include travel times, Amber Alerts, ozone action days, and safety awareness messages.

Question: Are the cameras and radars used to catch speeders?

Answer: No - it is difficult to monitor a single vehicle. The cameras are used to monitor the roadways and verify incidents. The radars are used to monitor traffic flow and identify incidents. Our job is to assist in freeway and incident management - we are not a law enforcement organization.

Question: Do you record the video from your surveillance cameras?

Answer: No - the Policy Team has made the decision that we will not record surveillance camera images.

Question: What computer and/or software specifications are required to view the traffic camera pictures?

Answer: The TRIMARC web site has been tested for use with Netscape 4.7+ and Internet Explorer 5.0+. You will need a computer and monitor that can display 256 colors or more. Also you should be aware that an ActiveX Camera Control will be downloaded to all Windows based computers using Internet Explorer in order to view video from our traffic cameras. If this is not working on your computer, try lowering your browser security settings. If you are still having problems, try manually downloading the control. Contact TRIMARC via the guestbook on the TRIMARC web site if additional assist is required.

Click here to view the live video feed.

Question: Why does the video from the traffic cameras seem to be "frozen"?

Answer: Most of our cameras are linked to the Traffic Operations Center (TOC) through 56 kb/s modems. We then feed the video to the Internet through AXIS video servers. This low transmission speed requires the images to be compressed (like a snap shot) which creates the "frozen" image effect that you are experiencing on your computer. These images update every few seconds so you may experience some breakup of your pictures depending on the timing of the equipment in the field. Generally you should be able to view enough of the "moving" image to determine if traffic is flowing smoothly or if an incident has occurred at that location. You are seeing the same video feeds as the traffic operators at our TOC.

Question: Can the traffic cameras be individually accessed?

Answer: Yes, we have recently implemented this functionality. Follow this link to the "Interactive Map", then select one of the cameras to view a snapshot from it.

Question: Why doesn’t TRIMARC have cameras, detectors and signs in more locations, like on I-265?

Answer: The TRIMARC system is being built and installed incrementally. As funding becomes available the folks that control the TRIMARC program will assess traffic patterns and expand the TRIMARC project accordingly.

Question: What is TRIMARC's role in AMBER Alerts?

Answer: TRIMARC is actively working with the Indiana State Police and Kentucky State Police who have the primary responsibility for implementing the Amber Alert program statewide. Although TRIMARC is normally open Monday through Friday during the day, our staff is available at all times to work with the public safety agencies to post an Amber Alert on TRIMARC message signs. Because of the limited space and changing status of Amber Alerts, TRIMARC's goal is to make motorists aware of the Amber Alert and tune to the local radio stations while traveling. Radio stations have the capability of providing much more detail regarding the alert than we could post on the sign or drivers could read and comprehend while driving over 50 MPH.