Intrusion Accidents on Highway Construction Projects

2000 ◽  
Vol 1715 (1) ◽  
pp. 30-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
James E. Bryden ◽  
Laurel B. Andrew ◽  
Jan S. Fortuniewicz
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Traffic Accidents ◽  
New York State ◽  
York State Department ◽  
Medical Problems ◽  
Buffer Space ◽  
Lack Of Sleep ◽  
Serious Injury ◽  
Construction Accidents

Two hundred and ninety intrusion accidents were reported on New York State Department of Transportation construction projects from 1993 through 1998. Characteristics of intrusion accidents and the locations where they occur were investigated, and intrusions were compared with other traffic and construction accidents. Overall, intrusions into the work and buffer space are a relatively small proportion of all accidents. Intrusion accidents accounted for nearly 10 percent of all work-zone traffic accidents and about 8 percent of serious injury accidents. Four fatalities and 60 serious injury accidents occurred. About two-thirds of intrusion accidents involved a vehicle entering an area defined by channelizing devices, including the transition area, buffer space, and work space. About 20 percent involved moving operations. Most intrusions resulted in a collision between the intruding vehicle and work vehicles, equipment, or roadway features. Pedestrian workers were involved in less than 10 percent of the intrusions but were at greater risk for serious injury than workers in vehicles or equipment. Excessive speed was a major factor, identified in about one-fourth of all intrusion accidents. Driver incapacity—due to alcohol use, lack of sleep, medical problems, vehicle failure, or roadway conditions—was involved in another one-fourth of intrusion accidents. Based on circumstantial evidence in the accident reports and a substantial number of impacts on highly visible arrow panels, it appears that driver inattention is also a significant factor.

Work Zone Traffic Accidents Involving Traffic Control Devices, Safety Features, and Construction Operations

1998 ◽  
Vol 1650 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
James E. Bryden ◽  
Laurel B. Andrew ◽  
Jan S. Fortuniewicz
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Traffic Control ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Traffic Accidents ◽  
New York State ◽  
Work Zone ◽  
York State Department ◽  
Control Devices ◽  
Traffic Control Devices ◽  
Safety Features

There were 496 work zone traffic accidents on New York State Department of Transportation construction projects from 1994 through 1996. These accidents involved impacts with work zone traffic control devices and safety features; construction features, such as pavement bumps and joints; drainage features; excavations and materials; and construction vehicles, equipment, and workers. These items, which include all of the features introduced into the roadway environment by construction activity, represent one-third of all work zone accidents and 37 percent of those involving serious injury. Channelizing devices, arrow panels, signs, and other traffic control devices generally resulted in little harm when impacted. Impact attenuators, both fixed and truck mounted, also performed well. Although portable concrete barriers prevent vehicle intrusions, impacts with barrier are severe events. Barriers must be properly designed and limited to only those locations where they are needed to protect more serious hazards. Construction vehicles, equipment, and workers were involved in over 20 percent of all work zone accidents, resulting in serious injuries. Although intrusions by private vehicles into work spaces are a serious concern, construction vehicles, equipment, and workers in open travel lanes are also a serious concern. Good design of work zone traffic control plans, combined with adequate training and supervision of workers, is essential to control both concerns.

New Paradigm for State Department of Transportation Environmental Initiatives: New York State’s Guidelines and Procedures

2000 ◽  
Vol 1702 (1) ◽  
pp. 92-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary McVoy ◽  
Mark Sengenberger ◽  
Elizabeth Novak
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
New York State ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
State Department ◽  
Regulatory Compliance ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Environmental Damage ◽  
York State Department ◽  
Department Of Transportation ◽  
New Paradigm

Public-works agencies have an obligation to enhance the environment as opportunities arise. The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) has developed an environmental initiative to make an affirmative contribution to the environment, using the department’s organizational strengths. The environmental initiative is a paradigm shift applicable to all departments of transportation (DOTs). Conventional reactive regulatory compliance can reduce unnecessary environmental damage and sometimes gain grudging regulatory agency cooperation; however, it is not a positive, satisfying way of doing the people’s work. Through proactive steps, NYSDOT has become an important part of the state’s environmental solution (often at little or no additional cost) and has changed its working relationships with environmental agencies and groups. As these agencies and groups have become partners, instead of adversaries, permit-approval times have improved, mitigation costs have declined, morale has improved, and cost-effective environmental benefits are being realized. Procedures are outlined to apply the engineering capabilities of a DOT to the environmental-stewardship responsibilities shared by all governmental organizations.

scholarly journals Response of an Obstetric Unit during the Coronavirus Disease of 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic: Experiences from a Tertiary Care Center

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (03) ◽  
pp. e281-e287
Author(s):  
Sangeeta Kumaraswami ◽  
Tana S. Pradhan ◽  
Sorana Vrabie-Wolf ◽  
Sadaf Lodhi ◽  
Geetha P. Rajendran ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Care Center ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
New York State ◽  
York State Department ◽  
Obstetrical Care ◽  
Expert Opinions ◽  
Department Of Health ◽  
Delivery Unit ◽  
Westchester County

Abstract Objective To describe our experiences in preparing our obstetric unit in Westchester County, New York, during the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease of 2019) pandemic. We focus on describing our timeline, continuously evolving actions, observations, and challenges. Methods With guidance from the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), our institutional epidemiologist, and key multidisciplinary faculty members, we evaluated emerging national data as well as expert opinions to identify issues and challenges to create action plans. Results We created and modified policies for our patients presenting for obstetrical care on the labor and delivery unit to accommodate their unique needs during this pandemic. Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic has posed many unique challenges. Balancing communication, risks of infection to providers, patient autonomy and rights, and resources for testing and personal protective equipment were among the valuable lessons learnt. We have shared our experiences and described our observations and challenges in Westchester County, New York.

Alcohol Related Birth Defects: Implications for Education

1982 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Lamanna
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Birth Defects ◽  
School Adjustment ◽  
New York State ◽  
Department Of Education ◽  
York State Department ◽  
Preventive Action ◽  
Fetal Alcohol ◽  
Behavioral Learning ◽  
Community Agencies

This article emerges from a larger study of preventive approaches for Alcohol Related Birth Defects (ARBD) prepared for the New York State Department of Education. The author contends that in addition to clearly identifiable Fetal Alcohol Syndrome children, there is a continuum of impairment to the offspring of drinking mothers that is dose related and produces serious behavioral/learning deficits. The continuum includes young people of normal intelligence who perform below expected levels and find school adjustment difficult. School and community agencies need to conduct studies to determine the nature and extent of impairment and the kind of interventive and preventive action that should be instituted. To that end, this article gives information on the background and nature of ARBD and some suggestions to guide development of programs.

Simple Model of Forward Visibility for Snowplow Operators Through Snow and Fog at Night

1997 ◽  
Vol 1585 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Bullough ◽  
Mark S. Rea
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
New York State ◽  
Field Tests ◽  
Line Of Sight ◽  
York State Department ◽  
Light Sources ◽  
Department Of Transportation ◽  
Narrow Beam ◽  
York State ◽  
Beam Type

Backscattered light reflected from falling snow, rain, and fog impairs visibility and can hinder performance of snowplow operators. New York State Department of Transportation snowplow operators cite backscattered glare as an important problem, and many drivers use their own “solutions” to counteract it. A literature review yielded two important conclusions: backscattered light from a lamp in fog and falling snow is reduced, and visibility is improved ( a) as the lamp is moved away from the operator’s line of sight and ( b) with a narrow-beam lamp. Field tests of lighting configurations during inclement weather were conducted to determine the effects of beam type and displacement from the operator’s line of sight on visibility, glare, and satisfaction. On the basis of these data and the literature, a simple mathematical model was developed that predicts the forward-visibility ratings of snowplow operators. This model can be used to guide specifiers in selecting light sources and mounting locations for snowplow operations.

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