As part of an ongoing commitment to continually enhance and improve work zone safety, VDOT has added new tools, portable temporary rumble strips, to provide extra safeguards for both road workers and travelers.
The announcement of these new devices comes just following National Work Zone Awareness Week, observed this year from April 8-12.
Starting this year, portable temporary rumble strips will be installed on applicable, active work zones in Virginia. VDOT will require use of the devices for lane closures on two-lane roadways with centerline markings during daytime hours.
Once installed, drivers will see signage warning of rumble strips ahead and to travel with caution. The rumble strips will encourage slower speeds in applicable work zones, and the sound of driving over them will alert road workers just ahead.
“Construction season is beginning, and we need to consider every safety measure available for work zones,” said VDOT Chief Deputy Commissioner Robert Cary. “Portable temporary rumble strips will provide an additional layer of protection for everyone in work zones, whether you are working or driving. The noise and vibration caused by driving over these devices will cause both workers and drivers to pay extra attention and be alerted to changing conditions ahead.”
In 2018, nine people – both workers and travelers – were killed in active work zones in Virginia. 2,521 work zone crashes were reported last year, which resulted in 1,256 injuries. In 2017, 12 people were killed and 1,334 were injured in work zones.
VDOT is requiring its workforce to implement use of the rumble strips on applicable work zones starting this year. Applicable work zones performed as part of VDOT-administered projects will need to incorporate portable temporary rumble strips by July 1, 2019.
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Chris Graham
