Innovations and Best Practices to Improve Work Zone Safety

1. Safety: Blind Spots, Proximity Warning & Camera Systems – An Overview Innovations and Best Practices to Improve Work Zone Safety

2. Outline • Work Zone Statistics • Motorist challenges • Construction site challenges • Intrusion Devices • Blind Spots / Camera Systems • Work Zone Safety Best Practices • Internal Traffic Control Plans

3. Fatalities in Motor Vehicle Traffic Crashes in 2007 • 2007 total – 40,224 • 2007 Work Zone total – 835 • Roughly 10% of all fatalities are actual workers • Most of the fatalities are a result of Construction vehicles and equipment, not the traveling public. • Colorado – 2007 • 541 total fatalities from crashes • 13 Work Zone related fatalities

4. Workers on Foot – Construction Vehicle Only Deaths by Construction Vehicle Type 41% 6% 14.3% 6.5% 14% 10.4% 7.7% Source: Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, special research file

5. Understanding the motoring public • The highway transportation system is composed of three basic elements: • Roadway, • Vehicle, and • Driver. • A high degree of control is exercised over the first two elements.

6. Understanding the motoring public • Drivers, however, must be accepted pretty much “as they are.”

7. Driver characteristics and limitations • Drivers over rate their ability • Drivers attitudes vary • Physical ability varies

10. Work Zone Safety Intrusion Alarms

11. Intrusion Alarm • SonoBlaster Dual Alert Work Zone Intrusion Alarm • Impact activated safety device • 125 dB horn blast upon impact • Notify workers, alert the driver

12. Intrusion Alarm • SAFETY-LINE Intrusion Alarm System • Dual beam system • Can be linked together – one mile or more • Broken beam = 125 dB siren

13. Intrusion Alarm • Intellistrobe AFAD Lane Intrusion Safety System. • Auto Flagger / Lane Intrusion Alarm Device

14. Work Zone Safety BLIND SPOTS

15. Definition of Blind Spot • A blind spot is the area around a vehicle or piece of construction equipment that is not visible to the operators, either by direct line-of-sight or indirectly by use of internal and external mirrors.

16. Problem • Workers must be near moving equipment • Blind areas around equipment extensive

17. Vehicle Blind Spot Hazards • Running over people • Running over materials • Striking other equipment and vehicles • Rollovers • Contact with utilities

18. Blind Area (Polar Grid Method) Not Visible to Operator Visible in mirrors only

19. Systems Selected for Long Term Tests with WSDOT

20. Radar Systems PreviewPreco Electronics Guardian Alert

21. Guardian Alert Radar SystemDump and Bridge Insp. Trucks

22. Guardian Alert Radar SystemDump and Bridge Insp. Trucks • Results: • Small and easy to mount • Does not detect people very well • Good detection of other objects

23. Camera Systems Clarion heated camera Intec camera

24. Camera Systems • Mining Industry Example

25. Intec Camera SystemDump Truck • Small camera that can mount on side of dump box • Size of 2 inch cube

26. Intec Camera SystemDump Truck • Results: • Small size allowed for good mounting location • Most drivers found it useful • Reliable operation during 5 month test • Would have problems in winter

27. Camera and Radar Sanding Truck • Two systems selected for winter tests on a sanding truck: • Preco’s Preview radar • Clarion heated camera with shield • 2 month test (Dec. – Jan.) in harsh conditions Camera Radar

28. Camera and RadarSanding Truck

29. Camera and RadarSanding Truck Results: • Camera and radar effective in dry conditions • Problems in snow, rain: • Snow, ice, mud build-up after 5 miles • Camera lens shield froze then broke • Radar false alarms from snow and mud on antenna • Improvements needed!

30. Ultrasonic System Hindsight 20/20 Sensors

31. Hindsight SonarDump Truck Ultrasonic-based system

32. Hindsight Sonar Dump Truck Results: • Drivers said system is reliable in most conditions • Concerned about detection range of 8 ft • Some false alarms in heavy dust • Constant false alarms when trailer is being pulled (optional trailer system needed)

33. Conclusions • Sensor systems (radar, sonar, infrared): • False alarms are possible • Nuisance alarms can be numerous in crowded work areas • Camera systems: • Provide view of blind area • Do not alarm so potential collision may go unnoticed • May not work in winter conditions • Good solution for crowded work zones during warmer months • A combination of sensors and a camera may be best solution for warmer months • Alarm prompts driver to check video • Video allows driver to check source of alarm

34. Other Ideas The TagView System

35. Rear Vision Camera System • 3rd EYE • 7” color or B/W flat screen • 2 camera capacity • Compact Heavy Duty Color Camera • Built in microphone • shock and vibration resistant • LED night vision function

36. Work Zone Safety Best Practices

37. Stop-Signals • Stop Light Signal Trailer System

38. Best Practice Uniform Traffic Control Making it better: Provide Work Zone and Temporary Traffic Control Training Give them room to work Work Zone Safety - UTC

39. Public Information and Outreach Making it better: Clear detour routes Give them enough lead time Establish roles and responsibilities before the project begins. Work Zone Safety – Public Information

40. Work Zone Safety – Public Information • Do not needlessly burden the motorist. • Clear, credible messages • Public perception is reality

41. Physical Barriers for worker protection Making it better: Consider all options for protection Do not get complacent Work Zone Safety – Physical Barriers

42. Work Zone Safety • Speed Reduction

43. Work Zone Safety - Training • Training Options • Work Zone Awareness • ARTBA OSHA 10

44. Internal Traffic Control Plans

45. Why Develop an Internal Traffic Control Plan? • Coordinate vehicle/equipment movement inside the work zone • Limit exposure of workers on foot to construction traffic • Reduce hazards for equipment operators

46. Proposed Definition of Internal Traffic Control Plans (ITCP) “STRATEGIES TO CONTROL THE FLOW OF CONSTRUCTION WORKERS, VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT INSIDETHE WORKZONE”

47. ITCP Principles of Safe Construction Traffic Control • Reducing the need to back up equipment • Limiting access points to work zones • Establishing pedestrian-free areas where possible • Establishing work zone layouts commensurate with type of equipment • Providing signs within the work zone to give guidance to pedestrians, equipment and trucks • Designing buffer spaces to protect pedestrians from errant vehicles or work zone equipment

48. Notes Page Safety Points Personnel Equipment Legend Method Specific Work Area Diagrams Dimensions Movement Flow Workzone Limits Signage ITCP Components

49. Internal Traffic Control Plan • Safety Points: • No workers in traffic zone • Spotter uses hands free radio to talk to trucks • No workers on foot between a backing truck and the paver • No rollers within 50 feet of the back of the paver • Inspectors remain away from paving train and notify spotter before obtaining samples

50. Internal Traffic Control PlansPaving Model Plan – Traffic Adjacent