About NWZAW
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Learn about the history of NWZAW, take a look at the themes and events of years past and posters used by host states. Find out why NWZAW is such an important event for the roadway safety infrastructure industry, as well as motorists, pedestrians, roadway workers and all those who use our roadways.
Want more information? Check out NWZAW posts on the ATSSA News Feed! |
History of NWZAW
National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW) is an event that takes place across the United States, with partnerships between state departments of transportation (DOT), national road safety organizations, government agencies, private companies and individuals.
How did this work zone safety awareness campaign get started?
In 1997, a group of Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) staff members, located in southwestern Virginia, wanted to dedicate a week to raise awareness about work zone safety among all district employees before construction projects picked up during the warmer months. Following the successful promotion of this first event, VDOT brought the idea of raising awareness to other DOTs, and in 1999 the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) began its statewide public awareness campaign, “Slow for the Cone Zone.”
However, it was 1998 when VDOT first presented the idea to create a national campaign to ATSSA officials. In December of 1999, ATSSA approached the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO) to launch the first official NWZAW. They developed an agreement between the organizations, that outlined goals for NWZAW efforts:
The first official NWZAW kickoff event was held in 2000 in Springfield, Va. The site where the kickoff event is held now alternates each year from being hosted in the Washington, D.C., area to different locations across the United States. State transportation departments can submit applications to host the event on those alternate years.
Go Orange Day History
National Go Orange Day, designated to help raise work zone safety awareness, celebrated its ninth year on Wednesday, April 17, 2024. The event has become a staple of NWZAW and is a time for individuals and organizations across the country to express their support for work zone safety by wearing orange. In an effort to stop work zone crashes, this nationwide effort was first introduced by the FHWA as a new component of NWZAW in 2016. ATSSA has since organized and sponsored a social media campaign as part of its contribution to the effort. In 2016 about 100 organizations, including ATSSA members, from across the country posted images of various Go Orange Day efforts. ATSSA’s 2018 campaign demonstrated a global reach, with organizations from across the United States mentioning @ATSSAHQ on X (formerly Twitter) or @ATSSATraffic on Facebook and using #Orange4Safety in their social media posts and interactions.
How did this work zone safety awareness campaign get started?
In 1997, a group of Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) staff members, located in southwestern Virginia, wanted to dedicate a week to raise awareness about work zone safety among all district employees before construction projects picked up during the warmer months. Following the successful promotion of this first event, VDOT brought the idea of raising awareness to other DOTs, and in 1999 the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) began its statewide public awareness campaign, “Slow for the Cone Zone.”
However, it was 1998 when VDOT first presented the idea to create a national campaign to ATSSA officials. In December of 1999, ATSSA approached the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO) to launch the first official NWZAW. They developed an agreement between the organizations, that outlined goals for NWZAW efforts:
- Initiate efforts to raise awareness of the need for more caution when driving through work zones to decrease fatalities and injuries;
- Establish and promote a uniform set of safety tips;
- The value of training and importance of best practices in regard to work zone safety would be promoted among individuals in the private sector, industry, and roadway workers;
- Reach out to both roadway workers and contractors to communicate possible effects of motorists’ behavior in response to traffic delays, and advise on what steps might possibly be taken to lessen negative behavior; and
- Outreach efforts would be made to work with entities involved with work zone safety and to form partnerships.
The first official NWZAW kickoff event was held in 2000 in Springfield, Va. The site where the kickoff event is held now alternates each year from being hosted in the Washington, D.C., area to different locations across the United States. State transportation departments can submit applications to host the event on those alternate years.
Go Orange Day History
National Go Orange Day, designated to help raise work zone safety awareness, celebrated its ninth year on Wednesday, April 17, 2024. The event has become a staple of NWZAW and is a time for individuals and organizations across the country to express their support for work zone safety by wearing orange. In an effort to stop work zone crashes, this nationwide effort was first introduced by the FHWA as a new component of NWZAW in 2016. ATSSA has since organized and sponsored a social media campaign as part of its contribution to the effort. In 2016 about 100 organizations, including ATSSA members, from across the country posted images of various Go Orange Day efforts. ATSSA’s 2018 campaign demonstrated a global reach, with organizations from across the United States mentioning @ATSSAHQ on X (formerly Twitter) or @ATSSATraffic on Facebook and using #Orange4Safety in their social media posts and interactions.
NWZAW Timeline and Themes
Learn more about all past National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW) campaigns. Themes were first used in the NWZAW campaign during the fifth event in 2004. Since then, the executive committee collaborates and decides on the theme each year that will best promote work zone safety.
1997 – VDOT’s Bristol District develops an internal awareness campaign for work zone safety
1998 – VDOT launches statewide public awareness campaign
1999 – Caltrans initiates "Slow for the Cone Zone" public awareness campaign
1999 – ATSSA, FHWA, and AASHTO agree to create National Work Zone Awareness Week
2000 – First national event is held in Springfield, Virginia
2001 – Second national event is held on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
2002 – Third national event is held in Capitol Heights, Maryland, and the National Work Zone Memorial begins traveling to be displayed at the event
2003 – Fourth national event is held at Freedom Plaza in Washington, D.C.
2004 – Fifth national event held at Springfield, Virginia, at a work zone site and the first use of a theme for national campaign occurs
1997 – VDOT’s Bristol District develops an internal awareness campaign for work zone safety
1998 – VDOT launches statewide public awareness campaign
1999 – Caltrans initiates "Slow for the Cone Zone" public awareness campaign
1999 – ATSSA, FHWA, and AASHTO agree to create National Work Zone Awareness Week
2000 – First national event is held in Springfield, Virginia
2001 – Second national event is held on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
2002 – Third national event is held in Capitol Heights, Maryland, and the National Work Zone Memorial begins traveling to be displayed at the event
2003 – Fourth national event is held at Freedom Plaza in Washington, D.C.
2004 – Fifth national event held at Springfield, Virginia, at a work zone site and the first use of a theme for national campaign occurs
- Theme: “The Worker's Office Is the Roadway”
- Theme: “Enforcement: Slow Down or Pay Up”
- Theme: “Night Work: Working at the Speed of Night”
- Theme: “Signs of Change”
- Theme: “Slow for the Cone Zone”
- Theme: “Drive to Survive, Our Future Is Riding on It”
- Theme: “Work Zones Need Your Undivided Attention”
- Theme: "Safer driving. Safer work zones. For everyone."
- Theme: "Don't Barrel Through Work Zones! Drive Smart to Arrive Alive"
- Theme: "Work Zone Safety: We're All in This Together"
- Theme: "Work Zone Speeding: A Costly Mistake"
- Theme: "Expect the Unexpected"
- Theme: "Don’t Be That Driver"
- Theme: "Work Zone Safety is in Your Hands"
- Theme: "Work Zone Safety: Everybody's Responsibility"
- Theme: "Drive Like You Work Here"
- Theme: "Safe work zones for all. Protect workers. Protect road users. We can do it!"
- Theme: "Drive Safe. Work Safe. Save Lives."
- Theme: "Work Zones are a Sign to Slow Down"
- Theme: "You play a role in work zone safety. Work with us."
- Theme: "Work Zones are temporary. Actions behind the wheel can last forever."
- Theme: "Respect the zone so we all get home."
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NWZAW Recognized by NLGAOn March 29, 2019 the National Lieutenant Governors Association (NLGA) passed a resolution recognizing April 8-12, 2019 as National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW).
The NLGA is a professional association for the elected officials first in line of succession to governors in all 50 states and five U.S. territories. The purpose of NLGA is to support the efficiency and effectiveness of the office of lieutenant governor, to foster interstate cooperation, and to generally improve the efficiency of state and territorial administration through education on issues and leadership training. Each NLGA resolution requires two sponsors from opposite parties. Sponsors of the NWZAW resolution were Lt. Governor Mike Cooney (D - Mont.) and Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser (R - La.). Lt. Governor members have up to 30 days after the meeting to sign on as a co-sponsor of the resolution. Learn more |
