Automated Flagging Assistant Devices (AFAD)

AFADs are remote-controlled equipment designed to be operated by a flagger positioned outside of the travel lanes in a work zone.

Description:

AFADs are remote-controlled equipment designed to be operated by a flagger positioned outside of the travel lanes in a work zone.  They function under the same operational principles as traditional flagging.

The 2009 Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), published by the Federal Highway Administration, defines the standards used by road managers nationwide to install and maintain traffic control devices.  There are two types of AFADs recognized.  The first type uses a remote-controlled STOP/SLOW sign mounted on a trailer cart and the second type uses a remote-controlled red and yellow lens and a gate arm to alternately control right-of-way (figure 1).


Figure 1. Red/yellow lens gated arm AFAD. (Photo courtesy of North America Traffic)

For more information, the U.S. Department of Transportation provides a detail description on how to use STOP/SLOW AFADs at http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/htm/2009r1r2/part6/fig6e_01_longdesc.htm and red and yellow lens gated arm AFADs at http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/htm/2009r1r2/part6/fig6e_02_longdesc.htm.

The MUTCD standard also provides the following factors to consider when using AFADs:

Work Duration

AFADs should not be used for long-term stationary work.  They are typically used for short-term or intermediate-term lane or road closures such as bridge maintenance, haul road crossings, guardrail repair, and pavement patching.

Placement

AFADs should only be used in situations where there is only one lane of approaching traffic in the direction to be controlled.  The maximum distance between two AFADs controlling opposing directions of traffic should be 1,500 feet, unless a longer distance is justified by an engineering study.

AFADs should be placed so that all of the signs and other items controlling traffic movement are readily visible to the driver of the intial approaching vehicle with advance warning signs alerting other approaching traffic to be prepared to stop.


Risks Addressed:

Working in road construction sites has an increased risk of work zone struck-by injuries and fatalities.  Based on preliminary CFOI data, there were 116 work-related fatalities at road construction sites in the U.S. in 2014.  In The Construction Chart Book 5th edition published by CPWR, Chapter 46 show vehicles were the source of more than half of the fatalities at road construction sites - double the proportion of such deaths in the overall construction industry from 2008 - 2010 (graph 46b).  Among fatalities involving vehicles and heavy equipment at road construction sites, most were workers on foot or non-passengers who were struck by vehicles or heavy equipment in the work zone or passing vehicles that entered the work zone.  Utilizing AFADs on a two-lane, two-way road reduce flaggers' exposure to vehicular traffic.


How Risks are Reduced:

AFADs increases worker safety compared to traditional flagging methods.  AFADs minimize flaggers' direct exposure to traffic by allowing them to control the flagging device from an area away from traffic, such as behind a work zone barricade.


Additional Considerations:

AFADs do no eliminate the need for qualified flaggers at the work zone.  Workers should be traditionally trained and certified to operate the devices correctly to manually direct traffic in case of a technology malfunction, or driver intrusion.  The National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse has a table of flagger training and certification requirements by state: https://www.workzonesafety.org/training/flagger_training

All AFAD applications must abide by the specific standards set forth in the MUTCD.  In accordance with NCHRP Report 350 and AASHTO's Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware, the AFAD must satisfy applicable crashworthiness standards based on device weight.  Detailed specifications for stop/slow AFAD are provided in section 6e.05; similarly, detailed specifications for red/yellow AFDs are listed in section 6e.06.

Motorists may misunderstand AFADs and enter the lane closure under the STOP condition.  Thus, it is recommended a gate arm should be required for STOP/SLOW AFADs.

Availability

NIOSH Workplace Solutions Sheet
The National Institute of Safety and Health (NIOSH) has published a series of “Workplace Solutions”, which are easy-to-understand recommendations from NIOSH research results. Related to this Construction Solution, please find more information on: Preventing Worker Injuries and Deaths from Backing Construction Vehicles and Equipment at Roadway Construction Worksites

North America Traffic
To obtain information, visit RCF 2.4 or contact 1-905-835-0800 info@northamericatraffic.com

Synergy Technology, LLC.
To obtain information, visit Automated Flagger AF-100 or contact 1-704-986-0145 gh@sytechc.com

Return on Investment

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