Automated Flagger Assistance Device

AFADs were first introduced in the early 1990s as a response to concerns about the safety of flaggers in roadwork zones.{{Cite web |last=Pratt |first=Stephanie |date=April 2001 |title=Building Safer Highway Work Zones |url=https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2001-128/pdfs/2001-128.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170215195705/https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2001-128/pdfs/2001-128.pdf |archive-date=15 February 2017 |access-date=25 March 2023 |publisher=National Institute For Occupational Safety and Health |language=en}} The initial models of AFADs were unreliable and prone to malfunctions, and were considered too bulky and difficult to maneuver, requiring multiple people and creating safety hazards on job sites. This led to criticism from some within the traffic control industry. However, the technology has improved over the years, and newer models are designed to be smaller, lighter, safer, and more efficient.

File:Components of an AFAD 1.png

AFADs usually consist of high visibility signage, 12 inch red signal heads, automated flags, and a remote control.{{Cite web |date=Fall 2017 |title=Automated Flagger Assistance Devices |url=https://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/fhwahop17042/fhwahop17042.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220119151458/http://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/fhwahop17042/fhwahop17042.pdf |archive-date=19 January 2022 |access-date=25 March 2023 |publisher=Federal Highway Administration, US Department Transportation. |language=en}} Due to their usage on daily, short-term lane closure job sites, AFADs have to be compact and portable.{{Cite web |last=Government of Ontario |first=Ministry of Economic Development |title=Government of Ontario, Canada |url=https://www.ontariocanada.com/registry/view.do?postingId=39427&language=en |access-date=2023-03-23 |website=www.ontariocanada.com}}{{Cite web |last=GuangAn |first=Traffic |title=AFAD 2 working modes {{!}} www.ledtrafficpro.com |url=https://www.ledtrafficpro.com/blogs/knowledge-share/enhancing-roadway-safety-with-automated-flagger-assistance-device-afad- }} While traditional AFADs are equipped with high visibility signage, 12-inch red signal heads, an automated gate arm, and a remote control,{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=10 December 2021 |title=Comment & responses Automated Flagger Assistance Device |url=https://tcp.mto.gov.on.ca/sites/default/files/2022-07/Comment%20%26%20responses%20Automated%20Flagger%20Assistance%20Device.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221207150218/https://tcp.mto.gov.on.ca/sites/default/files/2022-07/Comment%20%26%20responses%20Automated%20Flagger%20Assistance%20Device.pdf |archive-date=7 December 2022 |archive-format=PDF |publisher=Ontario Government |language=en }} newer AFAD technologies, also come equipped with 360 degree cameras and a tablet interface.{{Cite web |date=2022-03-22 |title=Automated Flagger Assistance Device (AFAD) - Site 20/20 |url=https://site2020.com/products/guardian-smartflagger-afad/,%20https://site2020.com/products/guardian-smartflagger-afad/ |access-date=2023-03-23 |website=site2020.com |language=en-US}}

File:AFAD Setup.png

In 2020, work zone fatalities hit a 16-year high in the United States, with an estimated 102,000 work zone crashes resulting in over 45,000 injuries and 857 fatalities, representing a 45% increase in work zone fatalities between 2013 and 2020.{{Cite web |title=Work Zone Crashes, Injuries, & Fatalities - Facts & Data {{!}} Work Zone Barriers Guide |url=https://www.workzonebarriers.com/work-zone-crash-facts.html |access-date=2023-03-23 |website=www.workzonebarriers.com |language=en}} Economic costs of work zone crashes have been estimated at over $17.5 billion annually.{{Cite book |last=Saha |first=Promothes |title=International Conference on Transportation and Development 2020 |chapter=An Optimization Methodology to Improve Work Zone Safety within a Limited Budget in a Roadway Network |date=2020-08-31 |chapter-url=https://ascelibrary.org/doi/10.1061/9780784483145.018 |language=en |location=Seattle, Washington (Conference Cancelled) |publisher=American Society of Civil Engineers |pages=204–211 |doi=10.1061/9780784483145.018 |isbn=978-0-7844-8314-5|s2cid=225342323 }} These statistics make safety in the traffic control industry of paramount importance. The AFAD has revolutionized traffic control safety by allowing the traffic control person to work outside of the direct flow of traffic. This reduces the risk of accidents and injuries to both workers and drivers. An AFAD's high-visibility signage and red signal head is visible from a distance, ensuring that drivers are aware of the work zone and can slow down accordingly. The automated gate arm also provides an additional safety feature by stopping traffic in one direction while allowing traffic in the other direction to proceed. Some AFADs, such as the Guardian SmartFlagger, are integrated with Google and Waze to [https://site2020.com/guardian-smartflagger-afad-saves-lives/ drive traffic away from the worksite] while the detachable Gate Arm in equipped with a 115dB intrusion alarm to ensure all workers are aware of a worksite intrusion.

A 2018 study at the University of Missouri-Columbia concluded that the use of AFADs could significantly improve work zone safety. A study by the Minnesota Department of Transportation concluded that AFADs may enhance safety over the human flagger based on a reduced vehicle approach speed, farther full stop location, and lower intrusion rate. The same study concluded that the public had a favorable impression of the AFAD and generally preferred it over the human flagger.

Modern AFADs allow operators to use a tablet to monitor and control traffic.https://www.yahoo.com/now/awp-safety-20-20-creating-124600818.html Some AFADs, such as the Guardian SmartFlagger by [https://site2020.com/ Site 20/20], are integrated with Google/Waze technology, which allows drivers to access real-time traffic data and plan dynamic diversion routes. By analyzing traffic patterns, AFADs can intelligently redirect a portion of traffic, reducing congestion and enhancing safety within the construction zone.{{cite web | url=https://www.ashcroftcachecreekjournal.com/news/more-automated-flagger-assistance-devices-coming-to-b-c-highways/ | title=More automated flagger assistance devices coming to B.C. Highways | date=15 March 2023 }} AFADs like the Guardian SmartFlagger can help increase the safety of construction workers, reduce labor costs, increase operational efficiency and driver compliance, while working with an independent network and connecting to Waze and Google.

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Category:Safety equipment

Category:Traffic signals