Reducing Traffic Accidents on the Roads of the Irkutsk Polymer Plant

Road Safety at a Large-Scale Construction Site: Challenges and Solutions

Managing road safety at large construction sites is a task that requires a systematic approach and constant adaptation to changing conditions. When the number of contractor vehicles numbers in the thousands and the infrastructure is just being created, the risks of traffic accidents increase exponentially. During the webinar, Igor Prokopyev, Leading Road Safety Specialist at the Irkutsk Polymer Plant (an Irkutsk Oil Company project), shares practical experience in reducing accident rates on technological roads during active construction.

Traffic Management and Infrastructure Solutions

The speaker discusses the first steps to normalize the traffic situation at the facility. Installing over 200 road signs and creating seven spacious parking lots eliminated chaotic vehicle parking, which restricted visibility and provoked accidents. To solve the problem of uncoordinated road closures by construction departments, a regulation and an interactive map were introduced. This ensured the unhindered passage of emergency services and optimized routes for all road users.

Special attention in the presentation is given to preventing run-offs and rollovers. The use of signal poles installed on metal rods in frozen ground made it possible to visualize the edges of the roadways a month earlier and remove them a month later than usual. This preventive measure reduced the number of such incidents by a third.

Speed Management and Driver Control

Following an accident with injuries at an intersection, the company radically reduced speed limits: to 30 km/h on main arteries and to 20 km/h in residential camps and on the construction site. Synchronizing these limits with the satellite vehicle monitoring system provided an effective control tool. Weekly data analysis and work with violators led to a complete absence of intersection collisions over the next year and a half.

The speaker demonstrates with an example how the monitoring system helps combat falling asleep at the wheel. Tracking night parking times allows for monitoring compliance with the 11-hour driver rest period, which is critical for preventing severe accidents on long routes.

Preventing Collisions with Utilities and Pedestrian Safety

One of the acute problems remains collisions of vehicles with raised equipment (dump bodies, crane booms) with overhead trestles and power lines. To minimize risks, the wires were raised to a safe height, and intersection points were equipped with clearance frames and reflective signs. The frames serve a dual function: visualizing the danger and acting as a physical barrier.

To protect pedestrians, separate paths made of coarse crushed stone are actively being built, connecting key facilities. Bus stops are organized where pedestrian and transport zones are separated by bright water-filled barriers, eliminating the risk of vehicles hitting waiting workers.

What you will learn from this webinar:

• How to organize information about road closures at a large-scale construction site?
• What technical solutions help prevent vehicles from running off technological roads?
• How to use a satellite monitoring system to control drivers' work and rest schedules?
• Which barriers are most effective for preventing collisions with overhead utilities?
• How to build a system for working with contractor drivers to improve the safety culture?