Ahead of National Work Zone Awareness Week, Rutgers Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation will host the annual New Jersey Work Zone Safety Conference on Thursday, April 7th, from 8:30 am to 1 pm. The virtual conference will help promote safety on local and state roadways for construction workers, engineers, first responders, drivers and more.
Critical to the resilience and well-being of roadways and infrastructure across the nation, work zones provide a safe route of travel for all motorists, workers, pedestrians, and road users by separating traffic and maintenance activities.
But, changing traffic patterns, movement of worker vehicles, and motorist distractions can lead to crashes, injuries and fatalities on the roadways. In 2019, 842 people were killed in 762 fatal work zone crashes nationwide, with 135 of the fatalities being work zone workers — stressing the importance of work zone safety awareness for all road users.
Hosted by the Rutgers Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation (CAIT) and developed with the New Jersey Work Zone Safety Partnership (NJWZSP), the New Jersey Work Zone Safety Conference will take place on Thursday, April 7th, from 8:30 am to 1 pm and will include presentations on protecting workers from heat illness, conflict resolution, speeding and traffic control, and more, to promote safety and reduce the number of road users being injured or killed in work zones.
The event, now in its 22nd year, is sponsored by the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety. The Division supports work zone safety education through Rutgers CAIT throughout the year — providing resources to bring critical work zone safety training to law enforcement in a series of traditional workshops; and via this annual conference, which reaches a multi-disciplinary group of hundreds.
“Leading by example is the best way to describe the New Jersey Work Zone Safety Conference,” said Jill Schiff, Executive Director Operations, Associated Construction Contractors of New Jersey. “It is hosted by a partnership to foster partnerships. Attendees are encouraged to network with like-minded professionals dedicated to keeping New Jersey’s work zones safe. From industry experts leading panel discussions to thought-provoking keynote speakers, this conference elevates its participants’ focus on work zone safety.”
The conference includes speakers, presentations, and panel discussions from both public and private sector representatives in New Jersey and the surrounding region who are involved with work zone activities. The agenda was developed by the Partnership, which includes representatives from regulatory and government agencies, academia, and industry.
This year’s keynote presentation will be delivered by Daniel Farley, a Professional Engineer from the Pennsylvania DOT and John Taylor, Esquire, from Archer & Greiner P.C. They will address Pennsylvania’s implementation of Automated Speed Cameras in Work Zones.
The New Jersey Work Zone Safety Excellence Awards will also be presented to recognize inspiring efforts of individuals, companies and roadway agencies that have demonstrated effective temporary traffic control in planned work zones on New Jersey roadways.
Learn more about the conference and register to attend here.
