Innovations and Best Practices to Improve Work

Zone Safety

Safety: Blind Spots, Proximity Warning & Camera Systems – An Overview

Outline

• Work Zone Statistics• Motorist challenges• Construction site challenges

• Intrusion Devices• Blind Spots / Camera Systems• Work Zone Safety Best Practices

• Internal Traffic Control Plans

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

Workers on Foot – Construction Vehicle Only

0 20 40 60 80 100 120

Other vehicle/other source

Other machine

Other/unspec truck

Excavating machine

Grading/surfacing machine

Semi-truck

Dump truck

Veh

icle

Deaths

Source: Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, special research file

Deaths by Construction Vehicle Type

41%

14.3%

14%

7.7%

10.4%

6.5%

6%

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.

Understanding the motoring public

• Drivers, however, must be accepted pretty much “as they are.”

Driver characteristics and limitations

• Drivers over rate their ability

• Drivers attitudes vary• Physical ability varies

Intrusion Alarms

Work Zone Safety

Intrusion Alarm• SonoBlaster Dual Alert Work Zone

Intrusion Alarm• Impact activated safety device• 125 dB horn blast upon impact• Notify workers, alert the driver

Intrusion Alarm

• SAFETY-LINE Intrusion Alarm System• Dual beam system• Can be linked together – one mile or

more• Broken beam = 125 dB siren

Intrusion Alarm

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

Device

BLIND SPOTS

Work Zone Safety

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.

Problem• Workers must be near moving

equipment• Blind areas around equipment extensive

Vehicle Blind Spot Hazards

• Running over people

• Running over materials

• Striking other equipment

and vehicles

• Rollovers

• Contact with utilities

Blind Area (Polar Grid Method)

Not Visible to Operator

Visible in mirrors only

Systems Selected for Long Term Tests with

WSDOT

Radar Systems

PreviewPreco

Electronics

Guardian Alert

Guardian Alert Radar System Dump and Bridge Insp. Trucks

Guardian Alert Radar System Dump and Bridge Insp. Trucks

Results:Small and easy to mount

Does not detect people very well

Good detection of other objects

Camera Systems

Clarion heated camera

Intec camera

Camera Systems

• Mining Industry Example

Intec Camera SystemDump Truck

• Small camera that can mount on side of dump box

• Size of 2 inch cube

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

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

Camera and Radar Sanding Truck

Camera and Radar Sanding 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!

Ultrasonic System

Sensors

Hindsight 20/20

Hindsight SonarDump Truck

Ultrasonic-based system

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)

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

Other Ideas

The TagView System

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

Best Practices

Work Zone Safety

Stop-Signals

• Stop Light Signal Trailer System

Work Zone Safety - UTC

• Best Practice• Uniform Traffic

Control

• Making it better:• Provide Work Zone

and Temporary Traffic Control Training

• Give them room to work

Work Zone Safety – Public Information

• 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

• Do not needlessly burden the motorist.• Clear, credible messages• Public perception is reality

Work Zone Safety – Physical Barriers

• Physical Barriers for worker protection

• Making it better:• Consider all options

for protection• Do not get

complacent

Work Zone Safety

• Speed Reduction

Work Zone Safety - Training

• Training Options

• Work Zone Awareness• ARTBA OSHA 10

Internal Traffic Control Plans

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

Proposed Definition of Internal Traffic Control Plans (ITCP)

“STRATEGIES TO CONTROL THE FLOW OF CONSTRUCTION WORKERS, VEHICLES AND

EQUIPMENT INSIDE THE WORKZONE”

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

ITCP Components

• Notes Page• Safety Points• Personnel• Equipment

• Legend• Method Specific

• Work Area Diagrams• Dimensions• Movement Flow• Workzone Limits• Signage

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

Internal Traffic Control Plan

Internal Traffic Control PlansPaving Model Plan – Traffic Adjacent

Review TCP (for Work Zones) and Other

Contract Documents

Determine Site Specific ITCP Needs

Draw Work Space

Add Pedestrian and Equipment Paths

Locate Staging Areas

Prepare Notes and Plan

Steps in Preparation of ITCPs

Key Elements of a Vehicle Backing Safety Program

• Equipment designed to minimize blind areas

• Equipment inspections/preventative

maintenance

• Layout work areas to avoid backing

• Use of spotters

• Training for operators and workers on foot

• Use of high visibility vests

• Use of other backing safety devices

(engineering controls)

Work Zone Safety

• Thank you and stay safe!