A smart work zone is a road construction zone in which technology is employed to increase safety and provide information. Smart work zones often use radar gun

Radar gun

A radar speed gun is a small doppler radar unit used to measure the speed of moving objects, including vehicles, pitched baseballs, runners and other moving objects. Radar speed guns may be hand-held, vehicle-mounted or static...

s or other sensors to detect the presence and speed of vehicles approaching a work zone, in order to display an appropriate message on one or more variable message sign

Variable message sign

A variable- message sign, often abbreviated VMS, CMS, or DMS, and in the UK known as a matrix sign,...

s.

In a "dynamic merge" system, for example, vehicles approaching a lane closure are directed to use all available lanes when congestion develops and speeds are low. When speeds are high, motorists are directed to merge early or are left to use their own judgement. Such a system is usually deployed in addition to traditional static messaging.

"Blind-area" diagrams can be generated using physical measurements and computer simulations to reveal the space around construction vehicles where workers and vehicles are at the highest risk of not being seen. A well-developed blind-area diagram can better inform construction crews on how to best block roads and position workers. Diagrams are created using a method jointly developed by the Caterpillar Inc.

Caterpillar Inc.

Caterpillar Inc. , also known as "CAT", designs, manufactures, markets and sells machinery and engines and sells financial products and insurance to customers via a worldwide dealer network. Caterpillar is the world's largest manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas...

 and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health is the United States’ federal agency responsible for conducting research and making recommendations for the prevention of work-related injury and illness. NIOSH is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention within the U.S...

which plots equipment on a grid and determines visibility of other objects relative to the equipment.http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/highwayworkzones/BAD/manualmethod.html