Work zones
Work
zones can be dangerous for motorists and highway workers. In 1999, almost 900
people died and 37,000 were injured in work zones. With the passage of federal
legislation TEA-21, the number of work zones is expected to increase significantly.
Will this lead to a dramatic escalation in the number of work zone deaths and
injuries? Here are examples of how to make work zones safer for both motorists
and highway workers.
North Carolina's Work Zone
Safety Campaign "Work Zone—Stay Alert" aims to save lives.
Overview
Before the inception of "Work Zone—Stay
Alert" in 1990, interviews with North Carolina's truckers and the traveling
public indicated that both groups were aware of having driven through work zones
but did not clearly understand what the signs meant or how to safely negotiate
a work zone. Highway workers said speed was the major safety problem in work zones
but also admitted that they themselves did not understand or practice safety procedures.
They also felt that drivers did not care about worker safety. As a result of focus
groups and additional research, "Work Zone—Stay Alert," a multifaceted
media campaign, was launched.
Over the past nine years, events, public
service announcements (PSAs), ads, articles, and other informational material
has been produced and disseminated to the motoring public. While the effort has
been successful, a new initiative that focuses on young drivers and work zones
has recently been launched by the state. The goal of this campaign is to make
the issue more visible to a population that has traditionally not been addressed.
The theme or tagline is "Recognition, Reaction, and Responsibility"—new
drivers must recognize the hazards associated with work zones; they must learn
how to appropriately react; and they must take responsibility for their actions.
A video entitled A Sudden Change in Plans is being distributed to all driver
education programs across North Carolina. Additionally, radio PSAs have been produced
and broadcast; promotional items such as rulers, squeeze bottles, pencils, stickers,
buttons, bumper stickers, pens, key chains, coloring books, and litter bags are
being disseminated to high schools, middle schools, and elementary schools; new
signs have been posted; and training programs are being initiated.
Results
According to the North Carolina Department of Transportation,
while at first the driving public became more aware of work zones, attention to
the issue slacked off over the years. The new youth-oriented initiative is designed
to re-energize interest in work zone problems and to prevent fatalities among
this high-risk group.
Contact
Construction
Unit, NCDOT, (919) 733-2210
The Pennsylvania DOT uses
computer technology to reduce risk of accidents in work zones.
Overview
When the Pennsylvania DOT began planning the rehabilitation
of U.S. Route 22 between Easton and Allentown, it faced a huge challenge. The
four-lane highway carries lots of traffic—approximately 85,000 vehicles per
day—and has several blind corners that make it hard for drivers to see if
traffic ahead has slowed or stopped. This dual challenge increased the chances
of rear-end collisions, which account for more than one-third of all accidents
in work zones in the state. Rehabilitation of the road includes eight miles of
pavement and several bridges. A private firm was hired to design a computer system
that keeps drivers informed of traffic conditions on the road ahead 24 hours a
day, seven days a week. The system, known as CHIPS (computerized highway information
processing) uses a system of 15 variable message signs placed along the road in
advance of work zones to alert drivers if traffic ahead is stopped or has slowed
or if a lane has been blocked by an accident. It also provides information on
the estimated length of delays.
Results
While
results are inconclusive at this time, CHIPS has saved money. The system cost
about half as much as it would have cost to hire people to monitor traffic conditions
24 hours a day.
Contact
