Strategies for Improving Safety at Toll Collection Facilities

CONCLUSIONS

The purpose of this study was to examine the safety of the facilities for toll collectors and other workers (such as maintenance workers) who work in and around the facilities, as well as for motorists traveling through toll plazas. Information was gathered through a survey, telephone interviews, and site visits, revealing nearly 100 separate strategies that are being used at toll plazas across the country that have the potential to improve safety for workers and motorists. These strategies span a wide range of issues and tackle a wide range of safety challenges.

In an effort to help readers to identify the strategies best suited for their needs, the report presented each strategy along with comments from practitioners on any concerns they may have seen with a particular strategy (e.g., cost), and any practical constraints that may exist (e.g., plaza design). In addition, each strategy was ranked in terms of effectiveness. These ranks were obtained from participants in a Toll Facility Safety Study Workshop, held in McLean, Virginia, in June 2007. Participants included both management and labor and represented 21 tolling agencies from across the country.

The report also provided information about two overarching strategies, training and a culture of safety, which address multiple safety issues rather than focus on one issue in particular such as speeding.

The report concluded with a discussion of ways to address safety while using open road tolling. As many agencies are making the move toward some form of open road tolling, many are also discovering some new safety challenges along the way. Some of the safety impacts that were uncovered through this study were also noted.

As the operating conditions, culture, etc., are different at each agency and even at each toll plaza in some cases, the strategies identified may not be applicable to all situations. The strategies in this report were therefore presented primarily as ideas for agencies to consider when seeking ways to improve safety for workers and motorists at their toll collection facilities.

For more information, contact:

Ken Jacoby
FHWA Office of Asset Management
1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, HIAM-20
Washington, DC 20590
202-366-6503
ken.jacoby@dot.gov