Work zones and roadside construction sites are some of the most hazardous areas in any fast-growing city. Workers face serious dangers daily — from speeding vehicles and distracted drivers to sudden collisions in high-traffic areas.
In 2022, 891 work zone traffic fatalities were recorded in the U.S., highlighting the ongoing risks for crews working near moving traffic.
Fortunately, technological advances are improving work zone safety management and reducing risks for front-line employees. The right selection of smart city technologies and intelligent safety measures can help make roads safer for everyone, from workers to pedestrians, drivers, and other road users.
Explore how modern technology is transforming work zone safety and how Omnisight’s Fusion Sensor helps protect lives in construction zones.
Facts and Statistics on Work Zone Safety
A work zone is any temporary area on a roadway where construction, maintenance, repairs, or utility work is ongoing. These zones can occur on any type of roadway, including urban streets, country backroads, and high-speed highways.
While virtually all work zones use signage and equipment to warn road users, workers and equipment remain vulnerable to changing traffic conditions. Sudden lane shifts, reduced visibility, close contact with heavy machinery, and fast-moving traffic create ongoing hazards.
The three main groups at risk are motor vehicle drivers, commercial truck drivers, and construction workers:
- Motor vehicle drivers. According to the National Safety Council, motor vehicle drivers accounted for 65% of work zone fatalities, with 584 deaths recorded. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) reports that speeding contributed to 281 fatal crashes, while 174 deaths resulted from rear-end collisions in work zones.
- Commercial motor vehicles. FHWA statistics show that 246 fatal work zone crashes involved a commercial motor vehicle, such as a large truck or a bus. The National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse found that these crashes caused a total of 282 fatalities.
- Construction workers: Data collected by the National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse reveals that 136 of these fatalities were pedestrians, and 31 were construction, maintenance, utility, or transportation workers.
Why Road Safety Technology Is Necessary for Work Zones
With work zone accidents on the rise, traditional safety measures alone are not enough. Cities and transportation agencies are adopting new technologies to make roadwork zones safer.
According to the NCSL, state legislatures introduce between 1,400 and 2,200 traffic safety bills each year. Even with these efforts, work zone accidents remain a serious threat. More cities and state transportation departments are using advanced highway safety technologies to better protect workers and drivers.
These work zone traffic safety technologies are designed to:
Protect Workers
Construction and maintenance workers are constantly at risk from passing traffic, particularly in high-speed zones and blind spots, where the chance of serious injury or fatal accidents is higher.
While traditional signs and signals can help warn drivers, they are often insufficient. Distracted drivers may overlook them or fail to react in time, leading to preventable crashes.
Modern safety technology adds even more protection by providing real-time alerts to work zone safety products, like wearable worker warning systems. These systems emit loud, visible warnings, giving workers critical seconds to move to safety and avoid potential collisions.
Control the Flow of Traffic
Many smart city projects use reactive sensors and Adaptive Signal Timing (AST) technology to keep traffic moving safely and efficiently. These same innovations are now helping manage traffic around work zones, slowing vehicles and reducing risks for drivers and construction crews.
For instance, sensors placed around a work zone intersection can communicate with traffic lights, adjusting signal timing to prevent congestion and discourage reckless driving. In cities with Variable Speed Limit (VSL) signs, these systems can automatically lower speed limits near active work zones, providing greater control over traffic flow and safety.
Provide Live Traffic Information Updates
Advanced sensors can identify its exact location and the number of lanes affected. This data can then be sent to a city’s Traffic Management System (TMS) or navigation apps, giving drivers and commercial fleets up-to-the-minute work zone updates.
Unlike traditional GPS systems that might flag a general construction zone but lack precise details, these smart sensors provide constantly updated, location-specific information. As a result, drivers receive more accurate alerts, allowing them to plan better routes, minimize delays, and avoid unexpected slowdowns.
How the Omnisight Fusion Sensor Contributes To Work Zone Safety
The Omnisight Fusion Sensor improves work zone safety with advanced detection technology and real-time data processing. Here’s how it makes a difference:
- Comprehensive object detection with multiple sensors. The Fusion Sensor integrates a high-definition video camera, an HD3D radar system, and artificial intelligence (AI) to detect objects, people, and vehicles accurately. With 98.7% accuracy, it identifies their type, class, and speed, providing a live risk assessment for work zones.
- Instant, high-speed data processing. The onboard TrueEdge processing system analyzes data, eliminating delays caused by remote servers. It integrates with smart city infrastructure, transmitting sensor data via Ethernet, LTE cellular networks, or Bluetooth for instant connectivity.
- Reliable performance in all conditions. The Fusion Sensor delivers reliable object detection to keep work zones visible, even late at night or during a heavy downpour. A constant flow of data to connected infrastructure helps maintain smooth traffic movement and improves safety for drivers and construction crews.
Safer Roads, Work Zones, and Communities With Omnisight
The Fusion Sensor is built to improve safety on roads, streets, and highways, particularly when construction, repair, or maintenance crews are at work. Whether your community is committed to the Vision Zero initiative or seeking the latest advancements in road safety technology, Omnisight has the solutions you need.
Contact us to discuss how we can support your work zone and road safety efforts.
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