• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • About
  • Contact
  • Listserv
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Login/Register
workzonesafety.org

National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse

Library of Resources to Improve Roadway Work Zone Safety for All Roadway Users

  • Crash Information
    • Work Zone Fatal Crashes and Fatalities
    • National Estimates of Total and Injury Work Zone Crashes
    • Work Zone Fatal Crash Facts
    • Other Work Zone Crash Related Resources
  • Flagger Information
    • Flagger Training and Certification Requirements by State
    • Flagging Resources Developed Under the FHWA Work Zone Safety Grant Program
    • Classes
    • Videos
    • Job Resources
  • Training
    • FHWA Work Zone Safety Grant Products
    • Roadway Safety Training Program
    • Online Learning Management System
    • Training Courses and Programs
    • Training Videos
    • ARTBA
    • ATSSA
    • NHI
    • NSC
    • LTAP/TTAP
    • WSU
  • Events and Conferences
    • National Work Zone Awareness Week 2021
    • Work Zone Safety Conferences
    • Other Work Zone Related Conferences
    • 2021 Transportation Construction Safety Events Calendar
  • Data Resources
    • Searchable Databases
    • Public Awareness
    • Laws, Regulations, Standards, and Policies
    • Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD)
  • Hot Topics
    • Improving Large Truck Safety in Work Zones
    • Smarter Work Zones
    • Transportation Management Plans
    • Accommodating Pedestrians
    • Rear End Crashes
    • Minimizing Construction Interferences with Traffic
    • Managing Speeds
    • Mobile/Short Duration Work Zones
    • Reducing Worker Run-overs and Back-overs
    • Working at Night
    • Reducing Worker Fatigue and Distraction Risks
You are here: Home / Practices / Use of drone radar and automated flaggers in work zones

Use of drone radar and automated flaggers in work zones

Illinois DOT has used drone radar in both urban and rural work zones, and it was perceived to be somewhat effective. One problem was that drivers soon realized that no police were present and they returned to speeding. After trying out the radar in several situations, its most effective use has been determined to be in short-term maintenance operations. IDOT does not have established policy/guidelines, and allows maintenance crews to use drone radar if they feel it will be effective in their areas.
Illinois DOT has used automated flaggers in both urban and rural stationary construction/maintenance zones. The flagger used is the J4 Flagger Station manufactured by Endless Visions, which was perceived to be somewhat effective. The disadvange is that well-trained flaggers are necessary to make the device function as a standard flagging situation. IDOT has guidelines describing proper location of the flagger and device and its proper use. Comments: As a flagging operation, the use of the device must as closely as possible replicate flagger operations as defined by the MUTCD. Otherwise, drivers will misinterpret or disregard the device.

State/Agency: Illinois
Topics: Automated Flaggers; Drone Radar

Copyright © 2021 American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA). The National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse is a project of the ARTBA Transportation Development Foundation. It is operated in cooperation with the U.S. Federal Highway Administration and Texas A&M Transportation Institute. | Copyright Statement · Legal Notices/Policies · Disclaimer
American Road and Transportation Builders Association Transportation Development Foundation, American Road and Transportation Builders Association U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration Texas A&M Transportation Institute