Toll Facility Safety Study Report to Congress - About

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Toll Facility Safety Study Report to Congress Flexible Delineators One operator uses flexible delineators upstream of the toll plaza to prevent severe lane changes. The delineators are red and white and are moveable. They do get hit, but they are designed to bounce back and only occasionally is there a problem with delineators littering the roadway. Cones One operator reported using cones to separate directions of travel at the plaza. Orange cones are used because the toll facility has reversible lanes. The operator reported that the cones do not get hit often because traffic is typically slow through the plaza, but there are problems with the color fading due to ultraviolet exposure. Advance Signs All operators use advance signs to warn drivers that they are approaching a toll plaza. Sign messages frequently include TOLL PLAZA AHEAD, PAY TOLL AHEAD, etc. In addition to these warning signs, some operators are also using lane designation signs in advance of the plaza. One operator uses two advance signs to get drivers into the proper lane and then drivers receive a third lane designation sign overhead at the plaza. Personnel report that the addition of these signs seems to have decreased the weaving of traffic at the toll plaza. Another operator uses advance lane designation signs, but its signs are more unique. After departing the plaza, drivers can either take an Interstate or exit onto a local road. The advance signs direct drivers to the side of the toll plaza where they will need to be depending on their direction of travel downstream of the plaza. The operator reported that since installing the lane designation signs, there has not been one accident downstream of the plaza. A few operators reported that the issue of too many signs has been a problem for them as drivers become overwhelmed and do not see anything. One operator reported excessive signs as a problem, but commented that none of the signs could be removed because the facility is at a border crossing where extra signs are necessary. Toll Plaza Approach Warning Devices An innovative strategy reported by one agency was the installation of white strobe lighting on the canopies at all toll plazas to highlight facilities in inclement weather. The operator reported that the strobe lighting has definitely helped drivers in foggy driving conditions. The same agency reported using maintenance trucks with flashing lights and qualified flagging personnel at the rear of traffic back-ups when the traffic volume stretches beyond sight of the plaza. This technique is used to prevent rear end collisions at the end of the queue. Safety Programs One operator initiated a Toll Plaza Safety Awareness Program. This is a month-long program that runs twice a year. The operator has its own dedicated police force, and together with the State Police, they run the awareness program. Police perform various operations at the toll plaza including seatbelt checks and ETC speed enforcement. Additional signs, such as portable changeable message signs, are used as needed. The operator reported that toll operations are not negatively impacted and the program seems to have a short-term affect on negative driver behavior. Appendix E – Agency Interviews Page E-4
Toll Facility Safety Study Report to Congress Safety Strategies for Reducing Worker Injuries Worker Garments Vests are typical safety garments provided to toll plaza employees. In an innovative strategy, one operator uses battery powered flashing vests for employees who work in the toll lanes. Another operator has adopted a new safety smock. The smock is light-weight, has short arms and is waist length. It is fluorescent yellow green with orange sections and retroreflective strips. Another operator issues toll collectors a 3-in-1 coat. The coat is lined and fluorescent yellow green. The sleeves can be unzipped and removed for spring and fall and the lining unzips so that it is more vest-like in the summer. One operator reported using a high visibility vest with five-point breakaway. The vests were ordered in response to news reports that vests would get caught on passing vehicles and workers were being dragged several hundred feet. The vests are fluorescent yellow green, are supplied to each employee and replaced as needed. The operator reported that the collectors provided input to management when the vests were being selected and the breakaway vest has received a positive response by employees. Three operators reported that they are considering development of new uniforms that will have safety features built in, thereby eliminating the need for safety vests. Lane Crossing Techniques Employees of one operator use small, personal stop sign paddles that are utilized by both the employee crossing an active lane of traffic and the employee in the toll booth. The vehicle that is stopped at the toll booth is allowed to depart the plaza, but the stop paddle is directed at the vehicle behind so that it must remain stopped. This procedure was developed out of concern for potential rear end collisions. Four operators reported using a ManSaver bar. The bars are placed at locations where employees must cross a toll lane. When entering the lane (going into danger), the employee must lift or pull back on the bar, when exiting a lane (going into safety) the bar is pushed. The bars force employees to stop before entering a toll lane and also serve as a reminder to look before crossing. One operator reported that employees would go around the bars so chains were installed to prevent them from avoiding the bars to cross the lanes. Toll collectors for one operator use small bags to carry personal items with them out to the booths. This allows them to keep one hand free to operate the ManSaver bars. The bags also prevent collectors from dropping an item in the lane leaving them vulnerable to traffic while bending over to pick it up. Two operators reported that employees are never allowed to cross active lanes of traffic. In fact, this is agency policy for one operator. The second operator reported that if an employee needs to cross a lane, it must first be shut down. Another operator, who has a dedicated police force, reported that the police escort toll collectors across toll lanes. This operator commented that in 42 years, an employee has never been hit while crossing a lane. Appendix E – Agency Interviews Page E-5
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Toll Facility Safety Study Report to Congress - About

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