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Work Zone Awareness Week
New Work Zone Training Coming to a Classroom Near You
Because of changes to the Federal Code of Regulations, work zone safety training will take a more prominent role in the department in the next 12 months.
Although VDOT has been conducting work zone safety training for maintenance and construction personnel for years, the Federal Highway Administration soon will require mandatory training “for those involved in the development, design, implementation, operation, inspection and enforcement "of work zone traffic control.
A Work Zone Safety Training Committee composed of a cross section of department disciplines has been formed and is in the process of developing the procedures to carry out this initiative, reports David Rush, VDOT work zone safety program manager.
Based on job duties and responsibilities, the committee has determined that work zone safety training falls into one of three distinct areas: design, construction or operations. Three courses—basic, intermediate and advanced—are being developed to meet the training needs in these areas, and the committee is working closely with the Learning Center to incorporate the courses into the VDOT training schedule.
Work Zone Awareness Week Events Planned
This year is the 10th anniversary of Virginia’s observation of Work Zone Awareness Week, an idea first presented by a VDOT employee. A number of special activities are planned:
Commissioner Ekern and two employees who had narrow escapes in work zone crashes will speak at an I-295 Flyover Project media event in Richmond on April 2. A wreath will be accepted by Allan Sumpter, who came up with the Work Zone Awareness Week concept in 1997. It was the impetus for the national observation. He will take the wreath and place it at the VDOT Workers’ Memorial. Commissioner Ekern will speak and be the master of ceremonies at the National Work Zone Awareness Event on the Woodrow Wilson Bridge April 3.
More than 21,000
students have been
reached this year- Central Office and most districts are also recognizing the week in their respective locations.
- VDOT and the Virginia Transportation Construction Alliance are co-sponsoring Metro Traffic reports across Virginia and in the Washington, D.C. area.
- Letters to the editor from Commissioner Ekern about work zone safety have been sent to newspapers statewide.
- Safety breaks to remind motorists of the importance of driving safely through work zones were scheduled at safety rest areas on Friday, March 30. Volunteers will give out state maps and work zone awareness information.
- Also, year-round, VDOT and Virginia Transportation Construction Alliance employees volunteer to speak to high school driver education classes about the importance of driving safely through work zones. They have reached nearly 93,000 students since the program's inception in 2003. More than 21,000 students have been reached during the 2006-2007 school year alone. The goal for 2007 is to take the message to 30,000 teens.
Work Zone Awareness Week: < Work zones as dangerous as ever
