Recent data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has revealed a concerning trend in work zone accidents. There has been a 46% surge in work zone fatalities since 2010, with over 890 fatalities in 2022 alone. 

As National Work Zone Awareness Week kicks off, AWP Safety Champions calls on industry partners, policymakers, and the public to promote safer work zones.

Creating Safer Work Zones 

At the core of AWP's approach to safety are innovative technologies like:

• Automated Flagger Assistance Devices (AFADs)

• Smart traffic cones

• Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)

AFADs reduce the exposure of human flaggers to traffic, while smart traffic cones provide real-time input on traffic flow, enabling rapid response to changing conditions. AWP also utilizes ITS to interpret data from cameras, sensors, and vehicles, offering a detailed perspective of the work zone environment.

AWP's dedication to road safety is further demonstrated by its use of Samsara in-cab telematics across its vehicle fleet. This technology helps identify correctable driver behaviors, record incidents outside the driver's responsibility, and enable work zone video surveillance, all while ensuring optimal fleet uptime.

Data is paramount in AWP's strategic framework. By meticulously collecting and analyzing information from work zones, the company aims to elevate traffic control services from reactive to proactive, making them a vital part of clients' operational plans and fostering safer and more efficient projects.

"Digital transformation is also set to empower our field teams with the tools and reporting systems necessary for optimizing job scheduling and staffing. It's about working smarter and safer on the ground," explains Mark Ludewig, AWP's vice president of safety.

Through collaboration and the adoption of next-generation technologies, work zone accidents can be significantly reduced, ensuring the well-being of all road users. To learn more about safeguarding your people, visit awpsafety.com. To participate in raising awareness about work zone safety, check out nwzaw.org, hosted by the American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA).

What is National Work Zone Awareness Week?

National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW) has been successful in spreading awareness for work zone safety across the country because of participation from organizations and individuals just like you. Hundreds of companies and individuals reach out to ATSSA on social media each year using #NWZAW. 

NWZAW 2024 is April 15-19, hosted by Maryland Department of Transportation. NWZAW highlights the deadly dangers of inattention at highway work areas. The 2024 weeklong commemoration included:

• Work Zone Safety Training Day - April 15

• National kickoff event - April 16

• Go Orange Day - April 17

• Social media storm - April 18

• Moment of Silence - April 19. The moment of silence was started in 2022 to remember the men and women whose lives were lost in a work zone incident.

Staying Safe Behind the Wheel in Work Zones

Consider the following actions from the Maryland DOT behind the wheel to improve work zone safety for all:

1. Reroute. Avoid traveling through work zones, if possible. Otherwise, allow extra time for possible delays and travel safely.

2. Avoid distractions. Workers are focused on their jobs in work zones; be vigilant behind the wheel to safely travel through the work zone by putting down your phone and paying attention while driving.

3. Reduce speed. Follow speed limits to make driving through narrow lanes and lane shifts easier and safer for you while keeping workers safe.

4. Be aware of workers. The work area is often very close to travel lanes, so please be considerate: Take care and slow down when you see workers.

5. Watch for pedestrians and bicyclists. Work zones often restrict where nonmotorized road users can travel. In 2022, 145 persons on foot and bicyclists lost their lives in work zone crashes.

6. Give large vehicles space. Narrow lanes, unexpected lane shifts, and longer braking distances are challenges for large vehicles. Allow extra space for them to safely navigate work zones. In 2022, 30% of fatal work zone crashes involved commercial motor vehicles (CMVs), which include large trucks and buses. Take care around large construction vehicles, which may be driving at slower speeds to enter and exit the work area.

7. Stay alert. Be prepared for sudden stops. Work zones may cause unexpected slowdowns. In 2022, 21% of all fatal work zone crashes involved rear-end collisions.