one.network’s Adam Graham appointed as voting member to new Connected Work Zone Standard Committee, as WZDx Evolves

one.network, an innovative road management software as a service (SaaS) technology provider, today announced that Adam Graham, one.network’s chief product officer, has been selected as one of eight voting members for the new Connected Work Zone (CWZ) Standard Committee. This committee will oversee the final transition of the existing Work Zone Data Exchange (WZDx) protocol as it becomes the formal CWZ national standard by 2025. The implementation of the CWZ Standard is being sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation and will fall under the oversight of the new committee established through the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE).

The Work Zone Data Exchange (WZDx) was the result of the U.S. Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) national initiative to standardize work zone data sharing so agencies could make it available for third party use. According to FHWA’s web site the intent was “to make travel on public roads safer and more efficient through ubiquitous access to data on work zone activity. Specifically, the project aims to get data on work zones into vehicles to help automated driving systems (ADS) and human drivers navigate more safely.”

“Now that the WZDx protocol has been built and stabilized, it needs to mature into an actual national standard, with a standards committee that has a formal process for gradual updates.”

– Adam Graham, CPO, one.network & CWZ Committee Member

With a vast majority of the WZDx protocol updates now complete, the new CWZ Standard Committee will work over the next two years to mold the current data exchange into its final format. Much of the work will consist of ensuring interoperability, comparing protocols to existing standards, and maintaining consistency and typical naming conventions wherever possible.
Graham said the new CWZ Standard will also broaden the idea of a connected work zone.

“From our perspective, a connected work zone encompasses the entire process of digitizing the construction site and then delivering it into the hands of drivers and other stakeholders.”

– Adam Graham, CPO, one.network & CWZ Committee Member

The main advantage for creating the new CWZ Standard is that the specification will be more static, helping encourage further adoption by agencies across the country.

“Previous WZDx versions shifted as the program advanced , making it difficult for early adopters to stay current. Formalizing CWZ into the official standard will give both producers and consumers peace of mind that they can get on board with work zone data sharing, and not worry about constant updates. And at one.network, we’ve always committed to helping any agency convert their existing WZDx feeds to the latest standard, free of charge.”

– Adam Graham, CPO, one.network & CWZ Committee Member

one.network has been involved in the development of WZDx since its infancy, with Graham having recently served as the co-chair for both the WZDx Work Zone Data Working Group and the Specification Update Subgroup.

The one.network software platform, however, goes way beyond WZDx and can contribute directly to the safety and efficiency of a road agency’s operations. For DOTs that need to generate and/or enrich their digital work zone, event or incident data, one.network’s Traffic Management module can produce detailed information and deliver it to GPS navigation providers, including the precise extent of road and lane closures, temporary speed restrictions and detour routes.

“Quality data is the most important part of sharing it, and with one.network, GPS providers trust our feeds because our metadata confirms how it’s been collected, managed, and secured. We also deliver it to them in the native formats they prefer.”

– Adam Graham, CPO, one.network & CWZ Committee Member

one.network’s intuitive, map-based interface is simple to use and removes any technical barrier for data entry, allowing all teams within an agency to collaborate under a single operational view.

“We care passionately about the ability to exchange data because that’s what’s going to save lives. The transportation industry needs more agencies to get involved in the process and realize that it’s not difficult or expensive to do. The new CWZ Standard is going to go a long way to help accomplish that.”

– Adam Graham, CPO, one.network & CWZ Committee Member

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