About the AWS
In 2013 MoDOT approached us with a major challenge, need for effective protection from distracted and inattentive drivers. Even with a plethora of flashing lights and giant warning signs, careless drivers were still running into the back of their trucks. With all of the safety equipment that was currently available on the market, they still continued to suffer the ineptitude of today's distracted drivers. We accepted the challenge and over the course of five years, created a warning system to prevent rear-end collisions when their crews are on the highways re-striping the interstate. With a maximum speed of 12mph during painting operations, they had become ‘sitting ducks’ for all of the drivers who think that the operation of their vehicle is secondary to talking on the phone, applying makeup or any number of stupid things people do behind the wheel.
The result is our Alert Warning Lights system which focuses the powerful light energy directly to the back of the vehicle with very little stray, off angle light. The lamps contain six high powered white LED's with precise focus optics. The light housings are virtually indestructible and they come with heavy duty stainless steel mounting hardware. Once they are locked in, they will not be affected by vibration, water, temperature or any other environmental condition. Just set it and forget it.
After the lights came the sound. There was no viable “off the shelf” solution, so we created our sound system from the ground up, the AWS Pro. This system provides the ultimate degree of safety for crews working on the busy interstates.
About Us
Alert Warning Systems grew out of a collaboration between Responder Public Safety Equipment and the Missouri Department of Transportation (MODoT) which began in 2013. From the beginning all of our design, development and production (other than circuit boards) was accomplished in our St. Louis facility. We pride ourselves in being an all US Military active duty and veteran staffed organization with an emphasis on Duty and Country.
AWS has gronw into a world class electronics design and production enterprise. After proving ourselves with the success of the Alert Warning System, we began offering our expertise and abilities to other safety related enterprises in need of a turnkey solution. AKE is one of those customers. They came to us just before the pandemic with a concept they wanted to turn into a working product. We had already done other, less expansive, design and production for AKE. So it was logical to continue the relationship. Unbeknownst to anyone, the Covid pandemic crippled the worldwide supply chain. However, we were able to improvise & adapt, coming up with innovative solutions to keep development on track. AWS was able to deliver a final working product from start to finish in under thirteen months.A feat that few others could have hoped to achieve.
Our Mantra
Our goal is to provide our clients with the very best solution possible. Whelther creating protection for workers in a challenging and hazardous environment, or protecting large agricultural equipment. "Good enough" is not a model we accept.
When it comes to highway safety, the number of workers injured and killed are staggering. We want to bring that number down to zero. While we know that's not likely anytime soon, as our systems are deployed, those numbers will drop significantly. This is what drives us to continue to innovate.
Some of our clients:
Where to Buy
Factory Direct - Alert Warning Systems
Latest News
Our Alert Warning Audio System took first place in MoDOT's annual Innovation Challenge this year. The competition was tough, but in the end, the high degree of safety this system creates put it over the top. We would like to thank John and MoDOT for all of their help in this endeavor.
Testimonials
The lights are very bright, they are going to get your attention. I've only had one truck hit in two years, which is unheard of here in St. Louis and we've seen a drastic reduction in close calls.
We recently striped a project on Highway 64, a state trooper was assisting us. Cars were just coming by us so fast, we were in the middle lane, we felt very insecure. The trooper didn't slow them down, our amber lights didn't slow them down, but when we activated the sound system, everyone slowed down. There was NO slamming on the brakes, no screeching of tires, as people passed us, you could tell, they were significantly slowing down and paying attention.John Russell Jr.
MoDOT Signing/Striping Supervisor