ARTBA Honors Efforts to Improve Roadway Work Zone Safety

Outreach Campaign/Local Level – First Place

Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT): “Think Safety Outreach Campaign”

Because many roadway construction projects run through neighborhoods and school zones, UDOT launched a “Think Safety” campaign to educate students on the dangers of entering work zones.  The program reached nearly 20,000 elementary, middle and high school students through on-site demonstrations during school assemblies and lunch-time gatherings.  Students became part of the presentation, by participating in a relay race through a mock construction site.  Children were challenged to navigate obstacles in a rolling cart while obeying caution signs and student flaggers. 

Outreach Campaign/Local Level – Second Place

Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT)-Hampton Roads:
“Work Zone Awareness Senior Safety Challenge”

During National Work Zone Safety Awareness Week, VDOT Hampton Roads worked with three high schools along a local work zone to initiate a “Senior Safety Challenge” aimed at promoting safe driving in work zones among high school seniors.  They asked the students to sign a pledge acknowledging that they were aware of work zone hazards and would put down their phones when driving through a work zone. Before signing the pledge, students reviewed a profile of various VDOT employees who worked in their area and statistics explaining the consequences of driving recklessly.  Students also received an orange silicone wristband to remind them to use caution in work zones. The high school with the highest percentage of signatures received gift cards and a donation to their school’s driver education program.

Training Programs/State Level – First Place

The Lane Construction Corporation: “Effective Use of Law Enforcement in Work Zones Training”

Before beginning construction on a heavily traveled and often dangerous stretch of I-35 in McLennan, Texas, the Lane Construction Corporation launched a work zone safety class for local law enforcement personnel, teaching the officers best-practices in work zone set up, guidelines of temporary traffic control in work zones and proper work zone-related procedures following a traffic accident.  The program trained over 500 police officers, state troopers, sheriffs, firefighters and dispatchers, and has improved communication and strengthened the relationship between contractors and law enforcement personnel. Most importantly, there have been no injuries to workers since the project began last March. 

Training Programs/Local Level – First Place

APAC Southeast Inc., an Oldcastle Materials Company: “Backing Up Light System”

Employees at APAC Southeast in central Florida, were concerned about crew safety during the backing up of trucks in the work zone. They shared their concerns with APAC managers who convened a company-wide safety meeting and empowered the employees to develop a unique lighting system that would allow dump trucks to safely and efficiently back up to paving machines, transfer vehicles and milling machines without a dedicated spotter.  After several field tested prototypes, the team came up with an innovative green light/red light signaling device that attaches to the machines, providing truck drivers with clear direction as to when to stop and start.  The unit’s LED lighting ensures visibility under all conditions and lights on both sides of the device ensure all crew members can see what direction the truck driver has been provided.    

Innovations in Technology/Products – First Place