Radar Speed Sign Use On The Rise In Work Zones



Posted: Monday, February 14, 2011

by Brad Brenner

The data is in and the results are clear. Radar speed signs work in work zones. The same electronic displays that have been used effectively to slow cars in school zones and around neighborhood streets can have a dramatic impact on worker safety in work zone applications as well.

In a 2008 studyconducted by the Texas Transportation Institute, radar speed signs topped the list of safety devices tested in short-term maintenance work zones. The speedcheck signs not only provided the largest speed reduction among the various traffic-calming methods reviewed, but workers reported that when mounted onto a trailer, the installation and removal of the signs was reasonable for even short-term work zone projects.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation first began using radar speed signs in work zones several years ago. Originally embraced by the department’s metro area maintenance crews, the electronic displays helped keep traffic moving at a safe speed while workers filled potholes. As the effectiveness of the speedcheck signs became clear, demand for their use spread. Today, Mn/DOT has expanded the deployment of radar speed signs to include use in construction sites, on ongoing maintenance projects and for other hazardous work zone applications.

“We often mount a radar speed sign along with an arrow board to the tail gate of one of our trucks,” said Marvin Sohlo, work zone standards engineer for MnDOT. “When we use the radar speed signs, it’s easy to observe the break lights come on. On a multi-lane highway, we’ve found average speeds are typically reduced by 8 to 10 miles per hour.”

Reducing speed is a critical issue for those concerned with work zone safety. According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) nearly 1,000 people are killed and more than 40,000 injured each year as a result of motor vehicle crashes in work zones. The majority of these cases involve excessive speeds.

“It’s estimated that more than 20 percent of our national highway system is currently under construction,” said Gary ODell, president of Information Display Company, a leading U.S. manufacturer of radar speed signs. “That equates to about 3,000 work zones on U.S. highways alone. You can add thousands more when you include work being done on public streets, around construction sites and on public works projects.”

Tad Blanton is the field operations supervisor for Medford, Oregon Public Works. He manages four crews that work year round on every type of public works project from underground maintenance to structural repairs, paving and concrete work. Concerned with worker safety, he attended a demonstration of a portable radar speed sign presented by IDC, and then signed up for a three-week free rental program.

“Providence brought the radar speed sign to us just when we needed it,” said Blanton. “We were about to begin work on a storm drain repair along the intersection of a busy four lane thoroughfare. We placed the sign about 350 feet before the work. The crew that I had out there said that the difference the display made was absolutely unbelievable. I knew are traditional warning signs wouldn’t of had nearly the same effect.”
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