National Highway Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse to Open

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 6, 1998

Contact: 
Mary Diamond
202-289-4434

(Washington, D.C., February 6, 1998)—More than 700 people are killed and 5,000 injured each year in accidents that occur in road construction sites across the nation. In February 1998, the federal government and the U.S. transportation construction industry will launch a major project designed to address this serious highway safety concern.

On February 17, the National Highway Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse will open for business. This first-of-its-kind facility will provide transportation agencies, law enforcement departments, highway designers and contractors, labor unions, insurance companies, motor clubs and other interested parties with a wealth of information on how to make road construction zones safer for motorists, pedestrians and highway workers.

The Clearinghouse is a cooperative venture between the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA). FHWA is providing seed money to help establish the facility, which must be self-sustaining in three years. ARTBA is managing the project and will be seeking long-term financial support for the Clearinghouse.

The association is partnering on the project with the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) in College Station, Texas, which is housing the facility and handling its day-to-day operations. The National Utility Contractors Association (NUCA) and the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) will help ARTBA publicize and market the Clearinghouse and its products and services.

"ARTBA is extremely pleased to have been selected by the FHWA to create this national educational facility that has the potential to help save lives, reduce injuries and cut the economic toll of traffic accidents in road construction sites," ARTBA Chairman Max R. Sproles said. "We view this project as providing both a public and industry service. That’s an unbeatable combination."

"We salute the Federal Highway Administration for its leadership and demonstrated commitment to reducing work zone accidents," Sproles, an executive with Frederic R. Harris, Inc., one of the nation’s largest transportation planning and design firms said. He added: "ARTBA is pleased to have the Texas Transportation Institute as a partner in this important endeavor. TTI is nationally recognized for its excellent research programs and technology and information transfer operations."

The Clearinghouse will provide an array of "best practice" information to include work zone design, research reports, information on mounting public awareness and law enforcement campaigns, as well as data on safety consultants, products and training courses. In most cases, information will be provided at no charge. Starting February 17, users can communicate with the Clearinghouse via toll-free phone (1-888-447-5556), fax (409-845-0568) or e-mail (workzone@tamu.edu). The local phone number is (409)862-8955. The Clearinghouse has established a presence on the Internet that can be accessed at http://wzsafety.tamu.edu.

The initial idea for the Clearinghouse was proposed at a 1994 national conference on highway work zone safety sponsored by the FHWA and organized by ARTBA. Subsequently, the National Highway System Designation Act of 1995 encouraged the U.S. Department of Transportation to expand its work zone safety educational efforts. After months of consultation with experts in the traffic safety field on how such a clearinghouse should be set up and what it should contain, FHWA sought proposals for the project in a national competition. ARTBA was selected as the project manager last fall.

"ARTBA is uniquely positioned to manage and build broad support for this project," James R. Keaton, president of the association’s Traffic Safety Industry Division and a member of its Transportation Safety Advisory Council, said. Keaton, an executive with the 3M Corporation, points out that the ARTBA membership "brings all of the relevant construction industry sectors to the table—public officials, contractors, designers, educators and safety product manufacturers and suppliers."

ARTBA’s 4,000 members include private sector firms and public agencies involved in all types of transportation improvement projects. Organized in 1902, it is based in Washington, D.C. To be placed in the Clearinghouse mailing list, contact ARTBA’s Mary Diamond at 202-289-4434.

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