The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) has teamed up with smart mobility firm Jenoptik to extend its work zone safety initiative by deploying a new mobile speed enforcement system in construction zones to further increase safety for drivers and workers.
ARDOT’s work zone safety initiative, called “Slow Down, Phone Down,” was implemented in 2022 in response to an alarming rise in the number of work zone crashes since 2018. Speeding and driver inattention were among the leading causes of these work zone crashes.
From 2022, Arkansas State Police and Arkansas Highway Police started placing patrols stationed in work zones across the state to crack down on reckless and distracted driving.
Jenoptik first partnered with ARDOT in August 2023 when it delivered the initial speed enforcement system to be stationed in work zones. The system is equipped with Jenoptik’s Vector SR camera that combines ALPR together with a radar sensor panel to record speeding drivers and send violations to law enforcement in real time. The system acts as a force multiplier by allowing police officers to remain within a safe distance outside the work zone.
“Preliminary results have shown a significant reduction in work zone crashes on our project since the speed enforcement camera has been utilized,” said Steve Frisbee, assistant chief engineer – maintenance, Arkansas Department of Transportation.
Finbarr O’Carroll, president of Jenoptik Smart Mobility Solutions Americas, added, “Due to our reliable solutions and comprehensive services, we are happy to continue to grow our footprint in the Americas with innovative equipment. We look forward to delivering more of our enforcement systems to Arkansas to continue helping reduce the number of accidents and fatalities in work zones, as well as work zone enforcement opportunities in other states.”
Since ARDOT implemented its safety initiative in 2022, crashes have reduced by almost 30%. The addition of Jenoptik’s speed enforcement system is an expansion of this already effective program and contributes as a valuable piece to the overall solution.
With the guidance of the Arkansas DOT, Jenoptik plans to implement additional systems throughout the State of Arkansas and looks forward to opportunities for expanding work zone speed enforcement into other states to keep drivers and workers safer across the country.
