Skip to main content

The IRF has an online safety seminar

The IRF is carrying out an online safety seminar on 27th September. This will be held at 11am US Eastern time. The seminar will highlight key issues such as maintenance tasks being carried out on high speed, high traffic volume roads at night. While these night time work zones do cause less traffic congestion due to the reduced traffic volumes, they can be very dangerous for both motorists and workers if they are not properly designed. Many traffic accidents happen at night due to drivers who are drinking o
September 23, 2013 Read time: 2 mins
The IRF is carrying out an online safety seminar on 27th September. This will be held at 11am US Eastern time. The seminar will highlight key issues such as maintenance tasks being carried out on high speed, high traffic volume roads at night. While these night time work zones do cause less traffic congestion due to the reduced traffic volumes, they can be very dangerous for both motorists and workers if they are not properly designed. Many traffic accidents happen at night due to drivers who are drinking or are overly tired. It can be difficult for drivers to navigate through a work zone because they cannot see the changes in the traffic pattern. Work zones by nature can be hazardous for workers. Trying to do this work at night without proper illumination adds to the dangers for workers. In addition, these workers are constantly in fear of errant motorists who may make mistakes near their work area thereby threatening their well-being, if not also their lives.  

Jameson Guthrie, the international manager for Wanco and Mike Dreznes, executive vice president of the 713 International Road Federation will use this IRF event to introduce state of the art technologies and best practices being use around the world to make these night time construction zones safer for both motorists as well as workers.

Concepts to be discussed will include portable lighting technologies, reflective clothing for workers, arrow boards and variable message signs that are used to give motorists proper advanced knowledge of the upcoming work zones as well as portable barriers, crash cushions and truck mounted attenuators that should be used to reduce the negative consequences of mistakes caused by errant motorists in a work zone. This webinar will provide important information for and public or private agencies responsible for design or maintenance of crash cushions. This includes DOTs, consultants, academia, contractors and asset management organisations. Contractors are strongly encouraged to participate in this 90 minute webinar.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Focusing on workzone safety systems
    March 16, 2012
    The US has seen a major reduction in deaths following accidents in its highway construction work zones, while Europe and other parts of the world are looking at new safety technology and systems to trigger a similar trend. Guy Woodford reports. Work in the US to reduce the likelihood of potentially fatal accidents at highway work zones is paying dividend.
  • New barrier, crash cushion and access control technology will benefit road user safety
    October 26, 2012
    Protecting road users, with barriers, crash cushions or access control systems, is crucial for network safety - Mike Woof writes Tough regulations are now in place in Europe and the US, requiring road authorities to provide safer road infrastructure than in the past. Technologies to reduce the severity of vehicle impacts against obstructions or redirect vehicles into the roadway should help cut injuries amongst drivers and passengers alike. The specifications for the use of crash cushions and barriers can v
  • New head of IRF road safety programme
    April 11, 2012
    IRF is pleased to announce the addition of Michael G Dreznes to the IRF Washington staff. Dreznes will serve as executive vice president with global leadership on training, policy and capacity-building activities across IRF's road safety programmes. "Mike has spent the last 26 years working to make roads safer around the world," said Patrick Sankey, president & CEO, IRF Washington. "He is recognised as one of the world's leading experts on roadside safety, pioneering the concept of Forgiving Highways, and w
  • Road safety training partnership in Africa and South America
    February 14, 2012
    The World Bank Global Road Safety Facility and IRF work together to reduce the toll of road deaths and serious injuries in low and middle-income countries