ABU DHABI // Motorists are being urged to be vigilant when driving through roadworks and construction sites where normal road conditions may have changed.
The safety of motorists, pedestrians and workers are of particular concern when works are carried out at locations with high volumes of vehicle and human traffic.
“Traffic rules and speed limits at roadwork zones should be strictly enforced,” said Dr Salahedddine Bendak, associate professor of industrial engineering at the University of Sharjah.
“Also, authorities should indicate the most suitable times to do the work. Friday morning might be the best time if the job takes a few hours.”
Results of a University of Sharjah study on road construction and maintenance sites highlighted the need for better enforcement of traffic safety measures and clearer road signs.
“I had a graduate project working on this issue,” Dr Bendak said. “While doing the project, a safety engineer at one roadwork zone that we were assessing was hit by a passing vehicle that had crossed a plastic barrier.”
Among the recommendations were installing barriers around roadwork zones, clearer and larger LED (light-emitting diode) signs to warn motorists of the roadworks and expanding the buffer zone between the workers and traffic.
The study also suggested better safety training for workers and that they wear high-visibility vests to improve safety.
Construction and road workers face deadly hazards, so developers and contractors must ensure adequate health and safety measures to protect them, said Loay Eisa Alnawafleh, a civil engineer who has worked in Abu Dhabi for five years.
“We have three health, safety and environment engineers on-site to ensure each phase of the construction is monitored for safety,” he said. “Measures are in place to protect workers and drivers at construction sites.”
Mr Alnawafleh, who is currently working on a high-rise building project in Al Ziyani, said he was required to submit a traffic management plan to the police as a standard safety measure.
“Drivers often grow impatient when they’re stuck behind cars,” he said. “About five months ago, a driver complained because we had to close the service road for a few minutes to allow one of our heavy vehicles to leave the site.”
Other recommendations were the use of plastic cones and barriers to separate traffic from workers, and installing a steel-framed structure to protect cars parked near the site.
Raul Alag, a watchman who assists building tenants in parking their cars in Al Ziyani, said construction in the area caused traffic jams and was a major inconvenience for residents struggling to find a parking place.
Residents were also worried about debris falling from building sites on to vehicles parked near by. One of the owners of a car parked near Mr Alnawafleh’s site found his windscreen damaged, and the building’s developers paid to have it replaced, he said.
Meanwhile, flag men who direct traffic at roadside construction sites are exposed to injury from passing motorists not paying attention, driving too fast or following too closely behind other vehicles.
“Motorists are often distracted when driving through a construction zone and fail to watch out for workers as well as signs of detours, uneven road conditions, or lane markings,” said Thomas Edelmann, founder of Road Safety UAE.
“Often lanes are narrow and motorists must adjust their driving to suit the conditions. They must be ready for sudden stops and watch out for workers and security personnel.”
Another hazard is slow-moving construction vehicles, which are often heavily loaded. Construction work can also stir up dirt, dust and other debris into the air, reducing visibility.
“If a lane or road needs to be temporarily closed to move equipment around, drivers must follow the instructions of traffic-control personnel at the site,” Mr Edelmann said.
rruiz@thenational.ae