Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12F I V E F I V E THE SMART VEST VTTI’s work traverses all aspects of the transportation industry, including the health and safety of highway workers. Innovation trends in “connected vehicles” have created an important opportunity for researching how potential hazards can be better communicated to highway workers such as flaggers. These connected vehicles have the ability to send and receive both driving and environmental data, such as a vehicle’s speed or the location of a work zone. According to Andy Alden, a lead researcher for the Smart Vest, “Roadside deaths are a major problem, and the advent of connected vehicles [technology] has created new opportunities for a technical solution that will save lives.” VTTI has fitted a high-visibility safety vest with sensors to receive data from connected vehicles that would be capable of warning workers of potential dangers from distracted motorists, or even construction equipment. The prototype Smart Vest, using built-in radio and GPS receivers, was successfully tested on the Smart Road with the vest accurately detecting a potential collision with a vehicle 95 percent of the time. The applications for this technology are far-reaching for worker and driver safety, as well as for better traffic management in work zones. The Smart Vest project plans to pursue development and testing as vehicle technology continues to advance. The Virginia Smart Road. Image provided by VTTI. Andy Alden, lead researcher for the Smart Vest, with the Smart Vest prototype.