Guidelines for Work Zone Intrusion Countermeasures

Table of Contents

  1. RUMBLE STRIPS
  2. CHANNELIZING DEVICE SPACING REDUCTION
  3. FLAGGER STATION ENHANCED SETUPS
  4. WORK ZONE SPEED LIMIT REDUCTIONS
  5. POLICE ENFORCEMENT
  6. VARIABLE MESSAGE SIGNS
  7. DRONE RADAR
7. DRONE RADAR

Commercially available drone radar units emit radio signals that activate radar detectors used by the traveling public. A number of states have considerable experience with drone radar. Evaluations typically show that speed reduction effects are small, but there is a widespread consensus that activation of the radar detector is successful in alerting drivers. The effective range is up to 1.5 km, depending on site conditions.

Drone radar units are commercially available, and run on 12 V DC power. They are typically mounted on work vehicles, and can also be attached to Arrow Boards or Variable Message Signs or other locations where a 12 V power supply is available.

Although radar detectors are illegal in commercial vehicles in New York, it is widely believed that they are in common use. Passenger cars and other noncommercial vehicles also use radar detectors, although the level of use is unknown.

Use Guidelines

A small quantity of drone radar units will be purchased for use in each Region in 1999. If initial experience is successful, additional units will be acquired for use in 2000.

  • Each Region is to purchase 5 drone radar units for Regional use, based on a specification to be developed by TE&HS.
  • Use of the drone radar units will be coordinated by the Regional T&S Groups. Use is to be on both construction and maintenance work sites. The coordinator will ensure that the available units are deployed to the best advantage.
  • Priority for use will be on slowly moving, mobile, and short duration operations where rumble strips and large-scale setups using channelizing devices and signs are less practical.
  • Roadways with high speeds and high truck volumes will receive priority for use, especially on projects with isolated work sites.
Completion Date

TE&HS will develop specifications by June 15. Each Region will order 5 units by July 1. Deployment will begin as soon as the units are received.

Reporting Requirements

By July 15, each Region will report progress on purchasing units, including anticipated shipment dates. By October 15, each Region will submit a brief report summarizing experience, with a recommendation for further use. The report will describe the general types of use of the drone radar, as well as the measures of effectiveness and any operational problems encountered.

This document was contributed by the New York State Department of Transportation. If you have any questions, please contact Charles Riedel.

Last verified: 7/28/1999