Grant Product Survey Summary: Highlights from 2011 Practitioner Work Group Meeting
Background
Section 1409 of the Safe Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) established the FHWA Work Zone Safety Grant Program. This 4-year (2006-2009), $20 million program provided funds to nonprofit and not-for-profit organizations to provide training to prevent and reduce work zone injuries and fatalities. The three grant emphasis areas include:
- (Area 1) Training for construction workers;
- (Area 2) Development of guidelines to help improve work zone safety; and
- (Area 3) Training for State and local governments, transportation agencies, and other groups implementing the guidelines.
Four recipients (Laborer’s Health and Safety Fund/American Road and Transportation Builders Association (LHSFA/ARTBA); American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA); Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT); and Wayne State University (WSU)) were competitively selected and each have been involved in at least two of the three emphasis areas.
To help identify specific needs, information from various sources were used, including:
- Grant team industry knowledge brainstorming sessions
- Practitioner panel facilitated sessions that included FHWA, State DOTs, consultants, and academia
- Results from the FHWA Work Zone Self Assessments
- Feedback from practitioner workshop series
- Practitioner surveys to prioritize identified topics
Each recipient identified topics and subject areas for development; FHWA also provided input on final topic areas to better coordinate between Grantees. In some instances topics addressed within products are similar, but tailored for a specific audience or developed in alternative formats. Approximately $10 million in additional funding (total) was made available during FY10 and FY11 under extensions to SAFETEA-LU. This funding was used to support additional grant activities. Three new grants were awarded to ARTBA, ATSSA, and WSU during 2011 after completing a new competitive process. Activities included in the 2011 grants build on those already completed, or still in progress from the 2006 grants.
Results to Date
To date the Work Zone Safety Grant has generated a wealth of products, publications, and training resources for roadway construction industry practitioners. At least 50,300 practitioners and craft workers have received training made accessible through the Grant. More than 45 guideline publications have been developed, with 40 training modules developed to date, and an entire learning program. Some products are still in the process of being developed, and others are still being planned. These guidelines, training, and resources will continue to provide benefits and positive impacts long after the Grant is completed.
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