Contest for Highway Worker Safety

The National Research Council (NRC) has announced the winners of its competition designed to gather innovative ideas for better protection of highway maintenance workers from dangerous traffic. The NRC`s Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP) sponsored the program. Out of 126 competition entries, three $2,000 prizes, four $1,000 awards, and thirty $500 prizes were awarded. The top three winning designs included a special lighting system to be used on the back of snowplows and salt spreaders that allows drivers to see snow equipment more clearly in stormy weather; a sign that can be quickly and easily installed and moved alerting motorists of construction ahead; and a mobile crash-protection device using sand barrels that can be installed quickly for closing off an entire lane of traffic. The entries were rated on feasibility, usability, effectiveness, and cost. The most promising will be selected for prototype development and testing.