Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia – A new novelty is nearing Nova Scotia: automated flagging machines are about to become commonplace tools at construction sites.
In a recent statement, Public Works Minister Kim Masland announced the deployment made with the intention of achieving better roadside safety for construction workers at construction sites.
The machines–which will be designed with a flag as well as a red and yellow light–will be required to follow specific regulations.
Such regulations will include the machines not operating on 100-series highways, being restricted to 80 km/h roads, and being reserved for roads with relatively low traffic volume (200 vehicles or less per hour).
Like a human flagger, the machines will regulate traffic flow using the flag and lights that they will be equipped with. When the yellow light flashes, drivers will be expected to proceed with caution, a solid yellow light will instruct drivers to prepare to halt, and a red light will show drivers to come to a complete stop.
With the adoption of these machines, Masland stressed that the intention is not to replace existing human workers or supplant human jobs. Instead, “these machines will allow flagging crews to stay further off the roads and thus do their jobs in a safer manner.”
Masland also stressed that the machines will help complement a shortage of construction workers in other areas, by allowing workers to be free to perform other roles.
The number of devices deployed in the coming weeks will ultimately depend on the decision of contractors who will decide if and when to use the technology.
The automated flagging machines will be manufactured by Site 20/20, headquartered in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.
What do you think–will motorists obey these robots?
