Services and Users Surge at the National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse
In October 2007, the National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse (Clearinghouse) underwent a major transformation—from the launch of a new, state-of-the-art Web site to sponsorship of a widely successfully National Traffic Management & Work Zone Safety Conference, the Clearinghouse was “reborn” to provide new services and information in the much needed area of roadway work zone safety. Those efforts led to significant growth in both the number of users and the amount of information each user is finding on the new Clearinghouse Web site (http://www.workzonesafety.org).
The October 2007 initiatives were only the beginning, however, and many new services have been added since that time. These initiatives include:
- The “Work Zone Wizard” (http://www.workzonesafety.org/node/8457) -- new blog feature led by Jerry Ullman of the Texas Transportation Institute
- The “SafetyZone” e-newsletter (http://www.workzonesafety.org/news_events/newsletters/safetyzone/feb2008) -- featuring timely information, articles, resources, and research on current work zone safety issues.
- The Clearinghouse “Listserv” (http://www.workzonesafety.org/listserv) -- a new, popular feature already serving nearly 500 registered users who share information and post questions daily about a wide variety of issues related to work zones. Subscribers now have the option of viewing listserv questions live as they are posted, through a daily digest where all discussions from each day are viewed in a summarized format or by viewing the archives online.
- An FHWA “Work Zone Safety Grants” section (http://www.workzonesafety.org/training/fhwa_wz_grant) -- featuring the products, services and training on many new and heretofore under-serviced work zone safety needs.
- A new “video vault” containing public service announcements, conference proceedings, training videos and more that are streamed and can be viewed on your computer. The site even has videos and presentations from the October 2007 National Traffic Management & Work Zone Safety Conference available for viewing.
- A new video to inform the public about the Clearinghouse services.
In addition to the new features, upgraded and enhanced services include:
- A simplified registration form, allowing users to subscribe to the blog, listserv and e-newsletter.
- An enhanced product registration form allowing distributors and manufacturers of work zone-related safety products to list and update information about their products contained in the Clearinghouse work zone safety products database.
- Updated and verified nearly 700 entries in the Clearinghouse’s vast databases, now containing over 7,000 records.
- Continuation of our free-research service, where users can call, email or fax questions and request information on topics not covered via our on-line services.
- Additional staff to meet the needs of the growing Clearinghouse services and users.
The “new” Clearinghouse is much more than just information; it is also a major participant in work zone safety events. On April 8, 2008, the Clearinghouse was the primary sponsor of the National Work Zone Awareness Week media event, hosted on the steps of the California State Capitol Building in Sacramento. Hundreds of people participated in the live event that paid tribute to the many workers and motorists killed in work zone safety incidents. Many more participated via a live webcast. Prior to that event, the Clearinghouse provided thousands of posters and brochures at no cost to organizations across the United States that were planning their own Work Zone Awareness Week events.
The Clearinghouse is making substantial efforts to let the roadway construction community know about its efforts to educate and promote work zone safety. These outreach activities include advertising in major trade publications, web-based ads on key industry Internet sites, and outreach at key exhibits and conferences, including TRB, ARTBA, APWA, ATSSA, NACE, ConExpo and the Construction Safety Council.
The efforts of the dedicated staff working at the Clearinghouse are paying off. During the first quarter of 2008, Clearinghouse experienced a dramatic increase in use; the number of user sessions jumped nearly 70 percent over the same quarter in 2007, to a rate equivalent to over 150,000 users per year. With the busiest roadway construction months just ahead, the National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse is ready to serve even more users and provide more services as we continue to be the information source on roadway work zone safety.
Find out more about us by visiting the new Clearinghouse Web site www.workzonesafety.org.
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