ALL COUNTIES | November 15, 2024

The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) has been awarded a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Accelerated Innovation Deployment Demonstration Program.

ARDOT will use this grant funding to purchase additional Lane Blade devices – vehicle attachments that aid in safe and efficient debris removal from the roadway.

Lane Blades enhance safety on high-volume roadways by ensuring workers do not have to enter the roadway on foot to remove debris. They also result in more efficient debris removal, clearing roadways quicker.

The grant will enable ARDOT to acquire 20 to 25 new Lane Blade attachments, which will provide the Department with the largest fleet of these devices in the country.

“Debris on our roadways presents an immediate danger to travelers, especially on busy highways,” said Steve Frisbee, ARDOT Assistant Chief Engineer for Maintenance. “Our goal is to find safer methods of debris removal that protect both our employees and the public. The Lane Blade allows us to do just that by keeping our crews inside their vehicles while effectively clearing the roads.”

To date, ARDOT has purchased 18 Lane Blade attachments and will now expand its capabilities across every district in the state.

“By removing debris swiftly and safely, we not only protect workers and motorists but also reduce the risk of crashes,” Frisbee added. “This grant is a significant step forward in our commitment to public safety and effective traffic incident management.”

“Safety is our number one priority at ARDOT; it’s at the foundation of everything we do,” said ARDOT Director Lorie Tudor. “I’m proud ARDOT’s innovation in this area was recognized by the U.S. Department of Transportation, and I’m proud that we will now be a leading state in debris removal using Lane Blades.”

For more information on the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Accelerated Innovation Deployment Demonstration Program, click here.

To see how the Lane Blade works, click here.