To improve the safety and efficiency of day-to-day construction, maintenance and traffic operations in work zones, the Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP) identified 12 work zone safety device concepts that are applicable in work zones; especially for maintenance activities. There are currently eight manufactured devices available.

1. Salt Spreader Truck-Mounted Attenuator (TMA).

2. Vehicle Intrusion Alarm.*

3. Queue Detector.

4. Portable Rumble Strip.

5. Direction Indicator Barricade.

6. Opposing Traffic Lane Divider.

7. Flashing STOP/SLOW Paddle.*

8. All-Terrain Sign & Stand.

* This unit was not perfected, but commercial units using several different technologies have become available for performing the desired functions.

The Salt Spreader Truck-Mounted Attenuator is commercially produced and is marketed exclusively by private industry. The seven other devices, representing the basic SHRP-developed concepts, are commercially available and are ready for field use. These include Opposing Traffic Lane Dividers, Portable Rumble Strip, Flashing STOP/SLOW Paddle, Direction Indicator Barricades, Vehicle Intrusion Alarms, Queue Detector, and the All-Terrain Sign Stand with Signs. The Remotely Driven Vehicle is being evaluated and showcased by the Minnesota DOT. An effort is underway to make the RDV more user friendly and reliable. The original SHRP-designed portable crash cushion trailer (PCT) is being evaluated by the Iowa DOT. Four modified shorter-length portable crash cushions have been built for FHWA and were sent to Alabama, New York, California, and Minnesota for evaluation and use. A fifth short PCT will be undergoing field trails along with the long version of the PCT in Iowa.

Most of the above-named devices have been exhibited by the FHWA and SHRP staff at many national and regional conferences and technical shows.

The FHWA supported making the various devices available to State highway agencies for trial use and evaluation. A solicitation of interest was made to the State DOTs through FHWA division offices. Based on responses received, funds were provided to the States to acquire limited numbers of the devices for trial use under actual work conditions.

• PowerPoint presentation on Work Zone Safety Intrusion Alarms
• SHRP Products for Local Governments: Executive Summary (FHWA-SA-97-039)

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U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Highway Administration