Forget Silicon Valley. These startups are hot on Arkansas.

Two years ago, Brett Schaefer was rear-ended while driving from Fayetteville to Rogers, Ark.

The accident got him thinking: What if there was a way to alert drivers about dangerous traffic conditions?

Schaefer connected with a team of engineers from the University of Arkansas to create a color-coded system for issues like bumper-to-bumper traffic and icy roads.

"You can install a network of these devices that communicate with each other," said Schaefer. "If traffic is stopped, one device sends that message to the next one, alerting drivers en route."

They founded VisuaLogistic Technologies in Fayetteville this year, and are doing a three-mile pilot test with the Arkansas State Highway Department.

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