Shields of Steel: California Introduces New Mobile Work Zone Protection Device

Inspired by a tragic Work Zone accident that injured 2 maintenance workers, California has introduced a mobile work protection system. The system, which is carried on a tractor-trailer, is specifically intended to enhance worker safety when carrying out shoulder repair in work zones adjacent to guardrails, bridge rails, and soundwalls. The protection effect provided by the device has been dubbed “shields of steel” by CalTrans. The prototype costs approximately $217,000 to build, but CalTrans expects that cost to drop significantly when other models are produced.