ATSSA Signal March/April 2020

The Signal | March/April 2020 41 Member Engagement Send your suggestions to communications@atssa.com for people to interview and questions to ask for the next installment of Transportation Conversations. What new technology has Michigan implemented and what impact has it had? A: MDOThas been innovative inemploy - ing technology to enhance work zone safety. It meets quarterly with the Mich - igan Infrastructure & Transportation Association to discuss items such as new materials, which in recent years has included the following: • Using upgraded fluorescent sheeting on drums to better alert motorists of construction work zones in dawn and dusk time frames; • Requiring temporary wet reflective pavement markings in work zones, which has increased motorist visibility at night in the rain; • Requiring 8-inch solid lines for shift markings on the freeway keeps motorists in their lanes through the transition; • Using Radar Speed Trailers to identify vehicle speeds through construction zones, yielding an average 5 mph reduction of vehicle speeds; • Using Driveway Assistance Devices to improve traffic flow for vehicles exiting side streets and parking lots into one-way traffic; • Using Stopped Traffic Advisories to help with early alerts to motorists of stopped conditions on freeways and to reduce the number of end-of- queue crashes; • Diversifying Portable Changeable Message Boards, providing three different levels of interface, from the simplest of controlling the message at the board to the most advanced of controlling the board from a Traffic Operations Center. MDOT is also piloting several items that show promise including: • A GPS-enabled signing detection system compatible with mapping software to show the status of a work zone; • Sensor enabled signing to allow trucks leaving construction sites to better re-join traffic as they leave; • Presence lighting as a means of traffic calming. MDOT engineers are addressing rural intersection crashes where not all traffic stops, by doubling the “Stop Ahead” and “Stop” signswith reflective signpost strips. On the back of the stop sign across the road, crews are installing another “Cross Road Traffic Does Not Stop” plaque to remind motorists that not all vehicles stop at the intersection. AWrongWayWarning System is designed to help prevent motorists from driving the wrong way on freeways. Cameras in the system detect when a car is driv - ing toward it; when that happens, high- intensity red LED flasher lightsmounted on each of the wrong way signs are acti - vated, warning drivers of their error. What other critical roadway safety program would you like to discuss? A: AtMDOT, we feel strongly that words matter andshouldbe chosenstrategically when talking about safety. Recently, the department’s Office of Communications engaged in an aggressive campaign to encourage media outlets, law enforce - ment officials, and others to say “crash” instead of “accident” when describing vehicle collisions. MDOT’s “Crash not Accident” campaign involves releasing a video (youtu.be/cMU1hd6QxVc) , post - ers, and aggressivemedia outreach and interviews. MDOT traffic safety engineers andmedia representatives also remind drivers to think of road workers as people they know such as a spouse, sibling, best friend, cousin, neighbor, child, or parent. Any final thoughts on Michigan’s roadway safety efforts? A: EachofMDOT’s seven regions has its own Toward ZeroDeaths (TZD) plan. This allows each region to address its most common types of crashes and develop plans to address them through roadway safety improvements, education, and public outreach. The goal is to capitalize on themost successful efforts and imple - ment them statewide. MDOT, like other states, is evaluating the use of mumble strips. While not as noisy and intrusive to the surrounding environment, these can provide warnings to a distracted motorist. MDOT’s pilot programs have produced promising results.