Description

Episode 51 of the Infrastructure Technology Podcast explores how technology is giving transportation and construction professionals new ways to improve safety and operations.

Roads and Bridges Staff Writer Jessica Parks speaks with Mike Doner and Luke Lazar of Flagger Force about the company’s use of virtual safety observations, which use vehicle-mounted cameras to review work-zone activity and identify behaviors that could lead to incidents. 

The episode also features a discussion of New Jersey Transit’s newly launched website and AI-powered Navvie chatbot, which are designed to make trip planning, service information and travel details easier for riders to access.  

Mike Doner - President and CEO, Flagger Force

Mike Doner is the president and CEO of Flagger Force. He co-founded the company in 2002 and has led its growth from a local startup into a nationally recognized industry leader known for safety, innovation and workforce development.  

Luke Lazar - Vice President of Risk and Safety, Flagger Force

Luke Lazar is the vice president of risk and safety at Flagger Force. He has 30 years of experience in safety consulting across diverse industries. 

• How virtual safety observations expand work-zone visibility by using forward- and rear-facing truck cameras to monitor job-site activity in real or near real time.
• Why video can reveal behaviors traditional inspections may miss, giving safety teams a more authentic view of everyday work practices and potential risks.
• How companies are shifting their safety focus toward preventing serious and fatal incidents, rather than simply tracking recordable injuries.
• Where artificial intelligence may fit into the future of safety programs, including identifying unsafe behaviors and supporting automated coaching opportunities.
• How video-based observations strengthen training and coaching, providing supervisors with real-world examples to improve driving habits, work-zone setup, teardown procedures, and overall safety performance.

Episode Length: 43:40

Timestamps:

• 00:31- Episode Intro 
• 01:30 - Discussion on New Jersey Transit's Newly Launched Website and AI Chatbot
• 07:54 - Roads & Bridges Interview with Flagger Force
• 41:04 - Interview Takeaways

• Flagger Force
• New Jersey Transit
• Roads & Bridges
• Mass Transit
• Send us a topic suggestion! 

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