Finding the unexpected in the everyday.
The April 2004 issue of Focus, a newsletter published by the Federal Highway Administration, highlighted various scheduled activities across the country for that year’s National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW). In describing how the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) would use the week to promote the need to drive more safely through highway construction areas,... Continue Reading →
In the time since the first National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW) took place in 2000, kickoff events have been a key component of these annual campaigns highlighting the importance of safe driving in road construction areas. An early and notable example of these events was the one held in April 2001 in Washington, D.C.... Continue Reading →
Over the past several decades, changeable message signs have taken on an increasingly significant role at highway construction areas across the United States. These electronic traffic control signs (also widely known as variable or dynamic message signs) are now extensively used to alert drivers as they approach work zones to proceed more slowly and carefully... Continue Reading →
Hard hats, which are also called safety hats, long ago became an essential part of the personal protective equipment for workers in road construction areas across the United States. This type of helmet is worn by those individuals to help cushion the head against blows from motor vehicle crashes, flying objects, and other causes of... Continue Reading →
Throughout most of its existence to date, National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW) has featured national kickoff events to officially launch those annual spring campaigns focused on the need for safe driving in road construction areas. In 2000, the kickoff ceremony for the first NWZAW took place in Springfield, Virginia. It was specifically held near... Continue Reading →
Over the years, construction barrels – officially known as “drums” in the United States – have become well-established mainstays of many road construction areas. The distinguishing features of construction barrels include their alternating white and orange reflective bands. These barrels are typically used to help make drivers aware that they are approaching a work zone... Continue Reading →
In the time since the first National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW) was held in April 2000, that week has served as a yearly means of calling nationwide attention to both the need for drivers to be extra cautious when traveling in the vicinity of construction work zones and the importance of remembering the individuals... Continue Reading →
Advance warning signs have long been one of the defining features of road construction and maintenance areas across the United States. The Road Work Ahead sign, which serves as a crucial means of alerting drivers that they are approaching such an area, is one of the more familiar and readily identifiable temporary diamond-shaped fixtures regularly... Continue Reading →
Transportation History 