In and around work zones, drivers are asked to alter their behavior – by slowing down, changing lanes, or taking other precautionary steps to keep everyone safe.
To promote awareness of the life-saving measures drivers should take and to increase safety for all road users, the Federal Highway Administration established National Work Zone Awareness Week, which will take place this year from April 26-30.
While this special week helps highlight the seriousness of work zone safety, for Iowa DOT it’s an issue that’s top of mind every day.
Over the years, dozens of people have been killed in work zones along Iowa’s roadways. To improve these statistics, Iowa DOT, along with the state departments of transportation in Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska, started a pooled fund in 1999 to share the costs of research specifically focused on making work zones safer.
Now, after more than 20 years and 100 research projects, the pooled fund has drawn additional support from other state DOTs while Iowa DOT remains at the helm.
Recently, the group developed the
Smart Work Zone Activity app, which gives real-time updates for construction work zones. Thanks to this app, Iowans have more timely and accurate work zone information to make better-informed decisions regarding their travel and safety.
Learn more about
Iowa’s commitment to work zone safety.