The Indiana Department of Transportation has announced the implementation of Project Greenlight, a new initiative aimed at increasing roadway worker safety by equipping highway workers with Guardian Angel safety lights.
Project Greenlight introduces wearable devices that emit flashing green patterns to enhance worker visibility, especially during periods of limited visibility. The department said these lights help workers become 89 percent more visible to drivers when worn with high-visibility vests, citing a study from Battelle Memorial Institute. Bright green was selected because it is the most visible color to the human eye and stands out from standard work zone lighting.
“Studies show drivers are more likely to move over and slow down when they see these green lights in work zones (…) The safety of our team is always our top priority as they make improvements to Indiana’s infrastructure, and we hope this small tool will have a big impact,” according to INDOT Commissioner Lyndsay Quist.
The program began its pilot phase in fall 2025 within three Hoosier Helper patrol areas: Northwest Indiana near Gary, the Indianapolis metropolitan area, and Southeast Indiana near Louisville. It also included highway maintenance crews in the Indianapolis Subdistrict and various crews throughout the state. As Project Greenlight progresses, approximately 375 lights will be distributed across Indiana, starting with the INDOT Northwest District. Highway Technicians and Hoosier Helpers are encouraged to use the green lights during nighttime operations or adverse weather conditions such as fog, rain, or snow.
The introduction of green safety lights stems from INDOT’s Innovation and Process Improvement Division. The agency holds an annual competition for employees to submit ideas that improve job safety and efficiency; winning ideas are implemented statewide.
More information about Project Greenlight can be found at the official announcement.
