LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — There's no doubt that working on the roads is a dangerous job, so that's why the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDO)T is implementing new technology to increase worker safety.
Removing debris on interstates will be a lot easier now thanks to the new lane blade devices.
"When there's debris on the roadway, I mean, that's that's not good for anybody," said Dave Parker, the spokesperson for ARDOT.
To help alleviate the issue of roadway debris, ARDOT will soon be purchasing around 25 new lane blades to add to its already existing 18.
"It's a blade, a big blade. You attach it to an existing ARDOT truck. And once you go through that installation process, which is pretty quick, it just kind of goes down the roadway, the entire lane, scoops it up, pushes it out," Parker described.
He said not only is it quicker for workers, but it is far safer too.
"It means that our guys and our women don't have to get out there and move that debris, which can be [if] you think about it out on an interstate 75 miles an hour. It's a little intimidating," he added.
Parker said they've seen good results after using the blades for the past couple of years so they applied for a grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Accelerated Innovation Deployment Demonstration Program.
"Fortunately, you know, we're very happy [that] we will receive this million-dollar grant," he explained.
After the new year, ARDOT will purchase the blades and distribute them across Arkansas.
"They each cost about $40,000 so just about every county, not all 75 but just about all of them will [receive one]. It's mainly counties that have an interstate crossing them or major highway," he added.
He calls it a win-win for both ARDOT crews and drivers.
"Once we get all of them in, we're going to start tracking the times. The response time on these so, you know, just to make sure we're doing the best job we possibly can," he said.
When the additional lane blades are purchased, ARDOT will have the largest fleet of them in the country.