Traffic control flaggers in Indiana are being moved out of harm’s way with the introduction of automated road signs.
Instead of standing in the roadway, flaggers can now operate traffic control devices remotely from inside a truck, according to reporting from Eyewitness News.
The automated signs allow workers to manage traffic flow through work zones without being exposed to passing vehicles, improving safety in active construction areas.
Previously, flaggers stood in the road holding handheld signs that flipped between “stop” and “slow” to direct traffic.
The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) said the new technology enhances road construction safety — a sentiment echoed by residents, who noted the change could improve safety for both workers and drivers.
“They are sign boards that light up to tell people to stop or that they’re able to go attached to the digital sign assigned,” INDOT Southwest Public Relations Director Gary Brian told Eyewitness News. “Folks are typically used to the one that says slow or stop that flips as if it’s time to go.”
Rather than eliminating flaggers, the technology shifts their role away from live traffic, significantly reducing exposure to passing vehicles.
As National Work Zone Awareness Week approaches, DOTs across the country are spotlighting strategies that reduce worker risk, including the use of automated and remotely operated traffic control devices.
The signs are currently in Evansville, with plans to bring them to Indianapolis for work zone awareness week events — showcasing how emerging technologies are reshaping work zone safety.
Sources: Eyewitness News
