In the traffic control industry, Automated Flagger Assistance Devices (AFADs) have historically received criticism due to various issues, such as unreliability, malfunctions, and requiring multiple people to operate, creating safety hazards on job sites. However, the Guardian SmartFlagger (GSF) has completely redesigned the traditional AFAD, addressing these issues and bringing renewed innovation to the industry. Unfortunately, the GSF has also faced some misconceptions similar to traditional AFADs. This article addresses these misconceptions and provides a better understanding of the benefits of using a GSF AFAD.

Technology Issues

One common misconception is that AFAD technology is prone to breakdowns, which can be a significant issue on work sites. At Site 20/20, we continuously test and upgrade our Guardian SmartFlagger (GSF) operating system to improve its quality and usability. If issues arise while operating the AFAD, our customer support team is available 24/7 to help find a solution. We also have a team member dedicated to monitoring all active AFAD sites to ensure they operate efficiently. To learn more about our customer success plan, visit: https://site2020.com/integration/

Considerable Expense

Many people assume that using AFADs are more expensive than traditional flagging methods. However, AFADs do not require overtime, vacation, or holiday pay, nor do they require benefits. On average, companies that use AFADs at least three days a month will have already broken even. Fill out our ROI Calculator to see how much money you can save today: 

Replaces Jobs

A significant misconception is that AFADs are taking away jobs from workers. However, GSFs are not autonomous and still require Traffic Control Persons/Flaggers to be onsite, remotely operating them via a SMART tablet from the side of the road. Employers typically pay AFAD-certified employees more, and fewer workers are required on an AFAD site, allowing the company to take on more jobs. Resulting in more higher-quality traffic control jobs! 

Limited Portability

Traditional AFADs are often bulky and heavy, making them difficult to move. Our GSFs are designed with portability in mind! At just 24 inches in width, two of our AFADs can fit comfortably in the back of a standard truck bed. Their compact size makes them easily maneuverable by any employee.

Job Specific

Another misconception is that AFADs only work on specific jobs. However, our AFADs are designed to work on 99% of job sites, including mobile utility jobs. We have worked with hundreds of traffic control companies across North America to specifically redesign our AFADs to meet the industry’s specific needs. To request access to our job site playlist, visit: https://site2020.com/integration/

AFAD Equality

Not all AFADs are created equal. The Guardian SmartFlaggers (GSF) are specifically designed to address many problems with traditional AFADs. The GSFs have two high-definition cameras that can record up to 80 hours, increasing the site’s liability and encouraging driver compliance. The lightweight build of our AFADs increases portability, easing the site’s setup, and the ability to remotely operate the GSF increases site safety, allowing workers to work in a more comfortable environment and increasing productivity. To learn more about our Guardian SmartFlagger AFAD, visit: https://site2020.com/products/guardian-smartflagger-afad/

AFADs are an effective tool that can help improve traffic control on work sites. Many misconceptions surrounding AFADs are inaccurate, and using an AFAD can significantly benefit your company. It is essential to choose a reliable and well-designed AFAD like the Guardian SmartFlagger to ensure the best possible results.