Automated Flaggers improve efficiency and safety

Press release from Alachua County
ALACHUA COUNTY, Fla. – The Alachua County Public Works Department is now using Automated Flaggers to help improve efficiency and safety when travel lanes need to be closed for maintenance activities. Automated Flaggers are trailer-mounted signaling devices equipped with lights, video cameras, and an eight-foot gate arm, which can be raised or lowered to control traffic.
Two Automated Flaggers are currently being used on County Road 235, just north of Newberry. Please expect delays on this road for the next several weeks while crews trim the trees and cut the road shoulders.
Automated Flaggers are more efficient than traditional hand flagging operations because they require less staff to control the traffic within the work zone. One Road Maintenance Technician can remotely control multiple units at the same time.
Worker safety is improved because staff no longer need to stand at the edge of the busy travel lane to control traffic. Motorist safety is improved because the Automated Flaggers are more visible, giving drivers more time to slow down. Studies have also shown that drivers are more likely to follow the instructions of the Automated Flaggers, which reduces the chances of crashes.
“We are very thankful that our Commissioners are innovative and support the use of new technologies,” said Assistant Public Works Director Brian Kauffman, P.E. “Motorists really seem to be responding well to the new flaggers.”
Replaces a paying job.
I thought the exact same thing when I read this. But, that is actually a very dangerous job, sadly, because of all of the distracted drivers. In fact, these automated things will probably get run over in no time, lol.
Not only does it replace a paying job it’s also able to collect data on ever person and vehicle passing by. The normalization of surveillance 👁️
They will free up a worker to do other task, also they can work in the sun and not have to worry about water breaks, flagging traffic isn’t a career.
I think these are actually kind of a smart idea. improves safety. Im sure there were people complaining to each other when the first traffic lights were installed as well.
The verdict is still out on these, and I am in the business. The difference with having a person there is that the unmonitored side roads and driveways can be accounted for and dealt with flaggers, not by automated devices. And if someone does run past the device there is no way to communicate that information to the workers on the roadway without humans doing so.