National National Work Zone Safety Work Zone Safety

Information ClearinghouseInformation Clearinghouse

Hong YuHong Yu

Texas Transportation InstituteTexas Transportation Institute

What I Will Cover TodayWhat I Will Cover Today• Clearinghouse history• Clearinghouse partners• Clearinghouse usage• Clearinghouse users• Resources available• Database and web system• Other technologies implemented• Lessons learned•

Clearinghouse HistoryClearinghouse History

• Idea discussed in 1994• Operation started in Feb. 1998• Funded by FHWA from 1998 to 2000• Funded by ARTBA-TDF from 2001 to

2005 • Funded by FHWA from 2006 to

present

Current Clearinghouse Current Clearinghouse PartnersPartners

• FHWA• ARTBA• TTI

Clearinghouse UsageClearinghouse Usage• Over 700,000 web visitors since

1998

Clearinghouse Usage Clearinghouse Usage (Cont.)(Cont.)

• About 3,900 individuals from every state and 30 countries contacted the clearinghouse for services since Jan. 1998

Clearinghouse UsersClearinghouse Users

• Federal, state, and local agencies• Contractors/highway workers• Consultants• News media• Law enforcement• General public• … …

Resources AvailableResources Available

• Work zone expert contacts• Crash data• Laws and regulations• Safety standards• State/agency practices• News articles• Research publications• Public awareness campaigns

Resources Available (Cont.)Resources Available (Cont.)• Work zone conference presentations• Resources developed under the FHWA Work

Zone Safety Grants• Safety products• Training programs• Streaming videos of PSAs, webinars and

conference recordings• International resources

(Arabic, Chinese, French, Japanese, Russian, and Spanish)

Resources Available (Cont.)Resources Available (Cont.)

• Free, customized research services– Toll -free: (888) 447-5556– Ask a Question at

http://www.workzonesafety.org/contact

Database and Web SystemDatabase and Web System

• Web Content Management System (Drupal)

• Oracle database system• Google search engine

Other Technologies Other Technologies ImplementedImplemented

• Listserv• Blogs• RSS feed• Post A Product - allow registered

manufacturer/distributors to post product information

• Registration forms - allow subscriptions to the blog, listserv and e-newsletter

Lessons Learned Lessons Learned

• Prove the value of services• Market the services• Be user oriented when developing

contents• Create a network of experts• Encourage user participation• Be flexible and scalable