Transportation incidents remain the leading cause of occupational fatalities in the United States. In 2023 alone, 240 construction workers lost their lives in transportation‑related incidents, which represents nearly a quarter of all construction fatalities nationwide.

Those numbers are not abstract. They represent people working in live traffic environments where a single moment of inattention or distraction has had irreversible consequences for individuals and families.

In 2025, Balfour Beatty took a deliberate step to address live traffic risks by piloting HAAS Safety Cloud® technology on active roadway projects across North Carolina. The goal was straightforward but revolutionary: reach drivers earlier, improve work zone awareness and reduce the risk of incidents through real‑time digital alerts.

Today, we’re reflecting on what that commitment has delivered and where it’s headed next.

A Year of Measurable Progress

HAAS Safety Cloud® has become an added layer of protection in some of our most complex work zones. Across three active projects in North Carolina (I-295 Fayetteville Outer Loop, U.S. 70 Havelock Bypass and U.S. 70 James City) the technology delivered 334,000 digital alerts to approaching motorists across 22 miles of roadway in 2025.

Each alert represents a moment of awareness created before a driver enters a work zone where construction workers’ lives are in our care every day.

This effort builds on Balfour Beatty’s Zero Harm commitment and reflects a belief that work zone safety extends beyond cones and signage. It includes the traveling public and the decisions drivers make before they ever reach an active work area.

For public partners such as the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), connected work zone technology has enhanced established safety practices.

“At NCDOT, keeping the traveling public, our own employees, and our contract partners who work to improve our transportation network safe is our top priority. Connected work zone devices, such as the HAAS system, have significantly improved how we communicate with the traveling public in and around our work zones. By delivering real-time, location-specific alerts directly to drivers, these systems help people know what to expect before they reach the work zone, whether that’s lane closures, slowed traffic or workers present,” says Ken Thornewell, Jr., P.E., state work zone traffic control engineer at the North Carolina Department of Transportation.

“When these technologies are used, it allows us to extend the reach of our traditional signs and devices, giving drivers earlier awareness and more time to make safe decisions. We want these alerts to be hands-free, eyes-free, and immediately actionable for drivers, so when alerts are delivered through in-vehicle systems or audio notifications, drivers can receive the critical safety information without taking their hands off the wheel or their eyes off the road. This helps them respond appropriately while maintaining focus on driving.

 By combining connected technology with our established work zone safety practices, we can provide clearer, earlier warnings to motorists and create a safer environment for everyone traveling or working on North Carolina’s highways,” adds Thornewell.

Designed for Real‑World Conditions

On the ground, Balfour Beatty project teams have seen firsthand how digital alerts support constantly changing operations.

“HAAS has been instrumental in keeping the public informed of continually changing operations along the I‑95 corridor of the Fayetteville Outer Loop project,” said Jason Sikora, construction manager. “HAAS was a major advantage on the seven roundabouts we rebuilt—each requiring a 21‑day full road closure with detours.”

In environments where traffic patterns shift frequently, the ability to update motorists in real-time adds a level of adaptability and behavioral advantage that traditional signage alone cannot accomplish.

Safety That Protects Everyone

HAAS Safety Cloud® is not just about protecting those wearing hard hats. It is about protecting everyone who moves through work zones, including members of the traveling public.

Digital alerts help drivers anticipate what’s ahead, slow down sooner and make safer decisions before entering active construction areas or even changing their planned routes to avoid work zones altogether. That awareness is essential in work zones where responsibility for safety is shared by workers and motorists alike.

As Balfour Beatty seeks to expand the recognition of live traffic as a fifth fatal hazard in our industry, we are expanding the use of HAAS Safety Cloud® onto new projects and into new states, where it will benefit more clients, partners and our communities.

One year after launching HAAS Safety Cloud®, the takeaway is clear: when technology is intentionally applied in a way that puts people at the center of operations, it becomes a powerful advantage in achieving Zero Harm.