Meet the AI Assistant Designed to Make Work Zones Safer

University of Missouri researchers have developed Work Zone Assistant, an AI-powered chatbot designed to help transportation professionals ensure work zones comply with federal safety standards. Built on OpenAI’s platform and guided specifically by the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), the tool provides accurate, real-time guidance on work zone design and operations, such as signage, speed limits, and lane transitions. Early findings presented at the Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting show the assistant is most effective when users ask detailed questions. A Missouri-specific version incorporating state regulations has also been created, positioning the tool as a promising model for future AI applications in transportation safety.