In the wake of a tragic incident in Jefferson County, where a diligent flagger lost her life while ensuring the safety of a work zone, the conversation around road safety takes a grim yet urgent turn. The stark reality that emerges from such heartrending events, including several others across West Virginia and beyond, is the pervasive risk of distracted driving—a hazard seemingly magnified by our collective addiction to mobile devices.

Despite stringent laws and awareness campaigns aimed at curbing phone use behind the wheel, the allure of the screen remains a formidable foe. It’s a bitter irony that while drivers are engrossed in their digital worlds, the real world outside poses imminent danger, especially in the delicately balanced environments of work zones. Traditional safety measures—more flaggers, enhanced lighting, and robust barriers—while essential, might not suffice when competing for the driver’s attention against the compelling pull of smartphones.

The West Virginia Department of Transportation’s (WVDOT) solemn reminder to drivers post the recent tragedy is a clarion call to reevaluate our approach towards ensuring work zone safety. Transportation Secretary Jimmy Wriston’s plea, “to lay down your cell phone, stay focused, and obey all the rules of the road,” resonates with a deep sense of urgency but also highlights a critical gap in our current safety protocols—direct communication with drivers in the language they understand: digital alerts.

Bridging the Gap with Technology: Live Link and Traffic Management

Herein lies a proven solution: leveraging the same devices that distract, to protect. By integrating work zone alerts directly into navigation apps—tools drivers are already glued to—we can transform smartphones from distractions into guardians. one.network’s Live Link and Traffic Management are pioneering this shift, enabling DOTs to communicate real-time work zone information directly to commercial navigation providers, who then alert drivers instantaneously.

This real-time dissemination of critical information directly into the driver’s line of sight holds the promise of making work zones significantly safer. Imagine a world where, instead of tempting drivers away from the road, their screens serve as conduits for lifesaving information: slowdowns in work zones, sudden lane closures, and the presence of workers mere feet from the travel lanes.

Live Link and Traffic Management are not just tools; they represent a paradigm shift in how we safeguard our roadways. By ensuring that information about every work zone is accurately and instantly available to drivers through their navigation systems, we’re speaking directly to them in the one place guaranteed to have their attention.

In embracing these technologies, DOTs can not only enhance the safety of work zones but also ensure that every worker returns home safely at the end of the day, and every driver reaches their destination without incident. It’s a call to action for all stakeholders—from road agencies to tech companies, from law enforcement to every smartphone-toting driver—to unite in the mission of making distracted driving a thing of the past.

As we move forward, let’s channel our collective efforts towards this goal. The technology is here, and the need has never been more critical. Together, we can turn the tide against work zone fatalities and ensure that our roads are safe for everyone, drivers and workers alike.

Effective right-of-way (ROW) management is crucial for city, county, and state Departments of Transportation (DOTs). It not only ensures smoother traffic flow but also enhances public safety. However, many current permitting solutions fall short of addressing the unique needs of ROW management. A dedicated solution like Plan Share can revolutionize ROW permitting and data quality, ultimately leading to better public engagement and traffic management.

The Challenge: Generic Permitting Solutions

Many cities and counties use permitting systems that are designed for a broad range of permits, from building to environmental permits. While these systems handle general tasks well, they often lack the specific features required for effective ROW management. This includes complex GIS mapping for multi-point closures, conflict detection, and automated approvals. As a result, cities are sometimes left to create makeshift solutions—often little more than Google Forms—that fail to address the complexities of ROW permitting. These in-house systems, though tailored more towards ROW management than generic platforms, often lack critical functionalities and end up being more costly and less effective than anticipated.

Plan Share: A Purpose-Built Solution

Plan Share is a permitting solution specifically designed for ROW management. Being integrated into the agency website, the public can request a permit from the same location they are used to. Whether you’re dealing with a Capital Improvement Project (CIP) contractor or a local PTA planning a community event, Plan Share streamlines the entire process:

  • Advanced GIS Mapping: Accurately map closures with multi-point geometry.
  • Automated Approvals and Conflict Detection: Expedite trusted contractor permits and detect conflicts with existing planned closures.
  • Two-Way Communication: Built-in chat functionality for real-time status updates and issue resolution.
  • User-Friendly Interface: Applicants can track the status of their permits in real time, reducing the need for customer service calls.

Proven Benefits of Plan Share

Plan Share has demonstrated significant benefits globally, including:

Building a Strong Foundation for Traffic Management

Starting with high-quality data at the permitting stage sets the foundation for effective traffic management. Plan Share ensures that data is accurate and comprehensive from the beginning, which is crucial for subsequent stages of traffic management. This high-quality data can then be seamlessly integrated into our Live Link application, enabling real-time updates to major navigation platforms like Google Maps and Waze. This proactive communication reroutes traffic away from work zones, enhancing safety and reducing congestion.

Case Study: Hillsborough County, Florida

Hillsborough County recently adopted Plan Share to improve their permitting workflows. This implementation aims to save time and money while enriching data quality from the start. The integration with existing workflows ensures minimal disruption while maximizing efficiency and safety.

From permitting to public action, effective ROW management is essential for improving work zone data quality and traffic management. Plan Share is a purpose-built solution that addresses the unique needs of ROW permitting, ensuring better data quality, faster approvals, and enhanced public safety.

Interested in learning more? Book a meeting with us to discuss your agency’s specific challenges and discover how Causeway one.network can help.

Hillsborough County is taking a significant leap forward in road and work zone management through a strategic partnership with one.network, a pioneer in digital solutions for road management. This collaboration is set to transform the way the County communicates road closures, manages work zones, and interacts with the public, leveraging a suite of advanced tools designed to create a comprehensive road construction communication solution.

 

A Comprehensive Right of way Management Ecosystem

Hillsborough County’s adoption of Traffic Management, Plan Share, and Live Link modules marks a pivotal advancement in addressing work zone permitting, right-of-way management, and safety. These tools collectively offer an end-to-end solution, streamlining operations from the initial permitting phase, through the work zone management, all the way to publication via commercial navigation providers.

 

Plan Share: Revolutionizing Right of Way Permitting

Plan Share is the first step of the one.network right-of-way ecosystem and represents a leap forward in the permitting process. In collaboration with Hillsborough County’s existing permitting work flow, It allows external teams, contractors, and other stakeholders to apply for right-of-way and work zone closure permits within a user-friendly, map-based interface. This system streamlines the submission and review process and provides agencies with a comprehensive overview of the potential impacts on traffic flow. By centralizing permit requests and approvals, Plan Share eliminates redundancies and accelerates decision-making, ensuring that all projects proceed with minimal disruption and maximum efficiency.

 

Traffic Management : Expanding Horizons

The Traffic Management module stands as a pivotal solution for fostering interagency and cross-agency collaboration, offering a unified operational truth for all planned road activities. This dynamic platform empowers county employees and neighboring agencies to coordinate and communicate road closures, work zones, detour routes, and bus lane suspensions efficiently. By centralizing the management of these events in near real-time, it ensures that every stakeholder — from city planners to traffic engineers across jurisdictions — can access and act on consistent, accurate data. This collaborative approach not only bolsters road safety but also streamlines the flow of information, guaranteeing that road users are informed of any disruptions promptly.

 

Live Link: Connecting Work Zones to the World

Perhaps the most dynamic among the trio, Live Link offers a gateway for real-time communication between work zones and the driving public. It allows authorized personnel to instantly update major navigation providers about lane closures, reduced speed limits, and work zone activity with just a few clicks on a mobile app, directly from the field. This level of immediacy in updating road conditions not only enhances driver awareness and safety but also aids in reducing congestion by informing navigation decisions in real-time.

 

Statewide Coordination and Enhanced Public Communication

The agreement with Hillsborough County not only strengthens statewide coordination efforts with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and other regional bodies but also exemplifies one.network’s commitment to enhancing road safety and efficiency across Florida. As this partnership unfolds, the integration of Traffic Management, Plan Share, and Live Link modules is poised to create a seamless ecosystem for managing road disruptions, benefiting county employees, contractors, and the wider driving public.

 

Empowering Hillsborough County with Industry Leading Tools

Beyond the individual capabilities of each module, Hillsborough County will gain access to the one.network comprehensive SaaS platform, enhancing its operational tools for traffic teams and providing a public-facing interface for greater community involvement. This platform will serve as a critical operational tool, enabling transparent communication and fostering a more informed and engaged driving community.

As Hillsborough County embarks on this journey with one.network, the focus on reducing congestion, enhancing safety, and improving communication underscores a shared vision for a future where road management is not just efficient but also inclusive and responsive to the needs of every road user.

The narrative of work zone safety is changing. Historically, the data capturing work zone fatalities has been incomplete, often failing to account for the risks faced by Roadside Assistance Providers (RAPs) . These vital responders are frequently categorized merely as pedestrians in official reports, obscuring the true nature of their work-related hazards. Recognizing this gap, a recent AAA report illuminates the overlooked plight of RAPs and the need for more nuanced and protective measures on our nation’s highways.

 

Understanding the Scope of the Issue:

RAPs are the unsung guardians of our highways, offering essential services in often perilous conditions. However, the lack of specific data recognition puts them at a disadvantage. RAP fatalities are rising, with an identified 123 deaths from 2015-2021, marking a concerning trend in the increasing danger of work zones. Particularly alarming is that a majority of these incidents occur not within the expected confines of the road but after a driver has departed from the roadway, indicating a potential issue of impaired or distracted driving.

 

Enhanced Vision for Roadside Assistance Safety:

Addressing the critical need for improved safety of Roadside Assistance Providers (RAPs), Causeway one.network has deployed  solution that promises a safer future for these crucial responders. Our vision centers around an ecosystem where the detection of a roadside issue immediately activates an alert through our Live Link solution.

 

Live Link is pivotal in this vision, enabling real-time updates to major navigation platforms such as Apple Maps, Google Maps, and Waze. This advanced functionality is essential for safeguarding RAPs. By rapidly disseminating road closure information to these platforms, traffic is efficiently rerouted away from the RAP’s location. This proactive approach significantly diminishes the risks of accidents involving RAPs and decreases the chances of secondary incidents near the initial roadside event.

 

Furthermore, with the integration of our Traffic Management solution,  this system provides Transportation Systems Management and Operations (TSMO) and state DOT traffic operations with live, accurate insights into road conditions. This real-time data is crucial for effective decision-making and strategic planning, empowering traffic managers to adapt swiftly to changing road scenarios. The ability to dynamically manage traffic flow, deploy resources as needed, and relay timely public information collectively fosters a safer, more streamlined roadway environment.

 

Case Study – Florida’s Pioneering Road Safety Efforts:

In a collaborative effort with Causeway one.network, the Florida Department of Transportation has demonstrated a commitment to maximizing road safety. Utilizing our Live Link technology in their Lane Closure Notification System (LCNS), notable achievements include:

 

  • Over 35,000 closures processed within a year. 99% confirmation and transmission rate to navigation providers.
  • 87% of closures confirmed on navigation providers within five minutes of reporting.
  • Over half of the closures promptly reopened using the Causeway one.network application, maintaining continuous driver vigilance.

 

While FDOT’s program was not specifically to enhance RAP safety, its success serves as a compelling proof of concept. The technology not only exists but has been deployed on a large scale. This deployment demonstrates the potential for integrating such technology in various contexts to significantly improve safety. Dont just take our word for it though;



Expanding communications technology is going to be key to saving lives in work zones and out on our roadways. Live Link gives our members a way to tell drivers to slow down and be extra diligent when they enter a work zone. These construction zones are their office and for the first time, we’re giving them a real-time voice in their own safety.  – Ananth Prasad, President, FTBA

 

The Future of Traffic Management:

The AAA report’s recommendations align seamlessly with Causeway one.network’s capabilities. It emphasizes the need for targeted countermeasures on high-speed, limited-access highways—where 68% of RAP struck-by deaths have occurred. Our technology not only meets these recommendations but also expands upon them, offering a forward-thinking blueprint for DOTs nationwide.  Causeway one.network stands at the forefront of this initiative, ready to partner with state DOTs to usher in a new era of roadside safety. By prioritizing early detection, clear communication, and strategic training, we can protect those who serve as the backbone of our roadway infrastructure.

 

To redefine the safety protocols within your jurisdiction and to be a part of this life-saving transformation, we invite you to reach out and schedule a meeting with us. Together, we can pave the way for a safer tomorrow on our roads.