WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Work Zone Data Working Group has released version 4.0 of its Work Zone Data Exchange (WZDx) Specification, a data-sharing standard to help automated driving systems and human drivers navigate roadway work zones more safely.
Among other improvements, the 4.0 release defines standards for two new data feed — one that transmits information to drivers and automated driving systems about traffic management devices in use at work zones and one that transmits work-zone-specific lane closure and road restriction information.
In 2019, the most recent year for which data are available, 842 people died in highway work zone crashes compared to 757 in the previous year.
The 11.2% increase is the largest year-over-year percent increase of highway work zone fatalities this century.
The WZDx Specification allows infrastructure owners and operators to make work zone data available with a common format and vocabulary for third-party use. Bringing these feeds into vehicles will help drivers and automated driving systems anticipate work zone travel changes and proceed more safely. Several data producers and data users have started to set up data feed based on WZDx.
Earlier this month, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg publicly unveiled six DOT innovation principles, which will guide how the DOT deploys resources to foster purpose-driven transportation innovation.
The Federal Highway Administration and Intelligent Transportation Systems Joint Program Office co-led the early stages of the project and remain actively involved along with the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and other programs in the DOT.
The Trucker News Staff produces engaging content for not only TheTrucker.com, but also The Trucker Newspaper, which has been serving the trucking industry for more than 30 years. With a focus on drivers, the Trucker News Staff aims to provide relevant, objective content pertaining to the trucking segment of the transportation industry. The Trucker News Staff is based in Little Rock, Arkansas.
