Safety Models for Rural Freeway Work Zones

2000 ◽  
Vol 1715 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shyam Venugopal ◽  
Andrzej Tarko
Keyword(s):  
Traffic Control ◽  
Traffic Management ◽  
Negative Binomial ◽  
Road Construction ◽  
Work Zone ◽  
Work Zones ◽  
Expected Number ◽  
Crash Data ◽  
Inappropriate Use ◽  
Road Work

Construction and maintenance work zones have traditionally been hazardous locations within the highway environment. Studies show that the accident rates during road construction are generally higher than during periods of regular traffic operations. The increase in the number of crashes may be attributed to ( a) general disruption to the flowing traffic due to sudden discontinuities caused by closed lanes, ( b) improper lane merging maneuvers, ( c) the presence of heavy construction equipment within the work area, ( d) inappropriate use of traffic control devices, and ( e) poor traffic management. Research was conducted to develop regression models predicting the expected number of crashes at work zones on rural, two-lane freeway segments. Crashes on approaches to work zones and those inside the work zones were analyzed separately. For developing these models, an extensive database was obtained, including freeway data, crash data, and work zone characteristics. Negative binomial models were developed with average daily traffic, the length of the work zones, and the duration of the work projects as exposure-to-risk variables. The cost of the various work projects was found to be a good substitute for some of the exposure-to-risk variables. The investigated variables included the number of on and off ramps, both on approaches and inside the work zones; the type of work; and the intensity of the road work involved. The models may be used to evaluate beforehand the expected number of crashes on the work zone, given the work zone characteristics.

scholarly journals Ekspertni pristup poboljšanju sigurnosti u zonama radova na cesti

Sigurnost ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 60 (3) ◽  
pp. 247-260
Author(s):  
Joso Vrkljan ◽  
Miljenko Mustapić ◽  
Antun Štimac
Keyword(s):  
Expert System ◽  
Expert Systems ◽  
Traffic Management ◽  
Work Zone ◽  
Road User ◽  
Special Focus ◽  
Road Maintenance ◽  
Work Zones ◽  
The Road ◽  
Road Work

SUMMARY: An ever-increasing volume of traffic on Croatian roads increases the volume of maintenance work. Road works negatively impact traffic mobility and road user safety, and also safety of the maintenance workers. Improving traffic mobility and safety is the key issue that all interested parties (planning and managing road works and those executing them) should address. Mitigation of negative effects is possible via certain expert system measures. Presented in the paper are the options provided by expert systems implemented in the road work zones as factors for improving road maintenance and safe traffic flow, as well as road workers safety. Introducing relevant data into the data base, an expert system is created providing the driver approaching a road work zone with a number of alternative routes. Also shown is a driving diagram for road work zones with special focus on slowing down speed upon entering the road work zone. The results show that the implementation of expert systems based on relevant data would significantly facilitate traffic management in road work zones and improve the safety of traffic and road workers, as well as the workers' efficacy.

scholarly journals Highway capacity in work zones – experiences in foreign conditions

2020 ◽  
Vol 66 (3) ◽  
pp. 49-58
Author(s):  
Stefan Andjelkovic ◽  
Vladan Tubić
Keyword(s):  
Traffic Management ◽  
Work Zone ◽  
Level Of Service ◽  
Work Zones ◽  
Highway Capacity ◽  
Traffic Demand ◽  
Traffic Conditions ◽  
Satisfactory Level ◽  
Road Capacity ◽  
Road Work

Traffic management in the highway work zones is a challenge for all traffic engineers. Road work zones are one of the most significant problems for the normal realization of traffic conditions, which can cause various consequences that will greatly reduce capacity and reduce the level of service. On the sections in the work zone, bottlenecks appear, which result in congestion, ie. lead to an imbalance of traffic demand and road capacity. This paper provides an overview of the literature and foreign experiences and ways of regulating traffic in the work zones on the highway. Bearing in mind that we are talking about roads of the highest rank, where are sections with work zones, it is necessary to maintain a satisfactory level of service by applying the concept of regulation that will minimally interfere the normal realization of traffic conditions.

Field Evaluation of Late Merge Traffic Control in Work Zones

2005 ◽  
Vol 1911 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew G. Beacher ◽  
Michael D. Fontaine ◽  
Nicholas J. Garber
Keyword(s):  
Field Test ◽  
Traffic Control ◽  
Positive Response ◽  
Field Evaluation ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Work Zone ◽  
Work Zones ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Term Field ◽  
Lane Closures

The traffic control strategy of the late merge in work zones was devised to improve flow and safety at work zone lane closures. Although some states have put the strategy into practice, only a handful of short-term field studies have formally evaluated its effectiveness. Additional field studies were necessary to assess the efficacy of the strategy and its proper deployment. This paper documents the results of a field test of the late merge traffic control conducted over several months. The late merge strategy was evaluated by comparing its effectiveness with that of traditional plans for work zone lane closures. The field test was conducted on a primary route in Tappahannock, Virginia, at a two-to-one lane closure. Results showed that throughput increased, but the increase was not statistically significant. Likewise, time in queue decreased, but the decrease was not statistically significant. These results were much less dramatic than those of other studies. Possible reasons for this disparity include different driver populations, road types, vehicle mixes, and site-specific characteristics. Despite limited improvements in throughput and time in queue, more drivers were in the closed lane, a positive response to the late merge signs.

Crash Testing and Evaluation of Work Zone Traffic Control Devices

1998 ◽  
Vol 1650 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
King K. Mak ◽  
Roger P. Bligh ◽  
Lewis R. Rhodes
Keyword(s):  
Traffic Control ◽  
Evaluation Criteria ◽  
Work Zone ◽  
Work Zones ◽  
Impact Performance ◽  
Crash Testing ◽  
Control Devices ◽  
Traffic Control Devices ◽  
Under Construction ◽  
The Impact

Safety of work zones is a major area of concern since it is not always possible to maintain a level of safety comparable to that of a normal highway not under construction. Proper traffic control is critical to the safety of work zones. However, traffic control devices themselves may pose a safety hazard when impacted by errant vehicles. The impact performance of many work zone traffic control devices is mostly unknown, and little, if any, crash testing has been conducted in accordance with guidelines set forth in NCHRP Report 350. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has, in recent years, sponsored a number of studies at the Texas Transportation Institute to assess the impact performance of various work zone traffic control devices, including plastic drums and sign substrates, temporary and portable sign supports, plastic cones, vertical panels, and barricades. The results, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are presented for temporary and portable sign supports, plastic drums, sign substrates for use with plastic drums, traffic cones, and vertical panels, whereas those for barricades are covered elsewhere. Most of the work zone traffic control devices satisfactorily met the evaluation criteria set forth in NCHRP Report 350 and are recommended for field implementation. However, some of the devices failed to perform satisfactorily and are not recommended for field applications. The results from these studies are being incorporated into the TxDOT barricade and construction standard sheets for use in work zones.

Guidelines for Using Late Merge Traffic Control in Work Zones

2005 ◽  
Vol 1911 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew G. Beacher ◽  
Michael D. Fontaine ◽  
Nicholas J. Garber
Keyword(s):  
Control Strategy ◽  
Traffic Control ◽  
Work Zone ◽  
Storage Space ◽  
Heavy Vehicles ◽  
Work Zones ◽  
Microscopic Traffic Simulation ◽  
Traffic Stream ◽  
Flow At Work ◽  
Full Factorial

The late merge traffic control strategy has been proposed as a way to improve flow at work zone lane closures by maximizing queue storage space and creating more orderly merging. The late merge instructs drivers to use all lanes to the work zone taper and then take turns proceeding through the work zone. There is little information available on when the late merge should be used, however, and a limited understanding of the factors that influence its performance. This paper discusses the results of a simulation study of the late merge concept using microscopic traffic simulation. The late merge concept was evaluated by comparing it with traditional traffic control, through a full factorial analysis. Results of the computer simulations showed that the late merge produced a statistically significant increase in throughput volume versus the traditional merge for the three-to-one lane closure configuration across all combinations of analysis factors. Although the two-to-one and three-to-two configurations did not show significant improvement in throughput overall, it was found that as the percentage of heavy vehicles increased, the late merge did foster higher throughput volumes than traditional traffic control. The results of the simulations indicate that the late merge may not provide as much of a benefit as previous studies had indicated and that the area of application for the late merge may be limited to situations where heavy vehicles constitute more than 20% of the traffic stream.

Work-zone traffic management with transportation planning software

1993 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 471-479 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Nazrul Islam ◽  
Prianka N. Seneviratne
Keyword(s):  
Transportation Planning ◽  
Traffic Management ◽  
Predictive Accuracy ◽  
Work Zone ◽  
Total Delay ◽  
Planning Software ◽  
Present Generation ◽  
Road Work ◽  
Alternate Routes ◽  
Management Alternatives

In this paper, the pros and cons of applying transportation planning software (TPS) in work-zone traffic management are investigated. The overall objective is to provide potential users, particularly small municipalities, with a basis for selecting the TPS best suited for evaluating traffic management alternatives for work zones. Four TPSs (TRANPLAN, MINUTP, SYSTEM II, and QRS II) were examined and rated with respect to eleven characteristics, SYSTEM II and QRS II, rated first and second, respectively, are used to assign traffic in a selected network. Alternate routes during road work are identified to minimize total delay and noise impact. The performance of the two TPSs is assessed in relation to predictive accuracy, post-processing requirements, and compatibility with other software. It is found that, while concerns about predictive accuracy and training needs can be overcome at a price, some special features are required within the present generation of TPS for them to be truly beneficial in the routine analysis of work-zone traffic plans. The significance of these features is discussed in reference to the assignment case study. Key words: traffic assignment, work zone, traffic management, planning, software, SYSTEM II, QRS II.

scholarly journals A WSN-Based Intrusion Alarm System to Improve Safety in Road Work Zones

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jose Martin ◽  
Alba Rozas ◽  
Alvaro Araujo
Keyword(s):  
Traffic Accidents ◽  
Causes Of Death ◽  
Road Traffic ◽  
Work Zone ◽  
Alarm System ◽  
Work Zones ◽  
Communication Interface ◽  
Alarm Systems ◽  
Work Area ◽  
Road Work

Road traffic accidents are one of the main causes of death and disability worldwide. Workers responsible for maintaining and repairing roadways are especially prone to suffer these events, given their exceptional exposure to traffic. Since these actuations usually coexist with regular traffic, an errant driver can easily intrude the work area and provoke a collision. Some authors have proposed mechanisms aimed at detecting breaches in the work zone perimeter and alerting workers, which are collectively called intrusion alarm systems. However, they have several limitations and have not yet fulfilled the necessities of these scenarios. In this paper, we propose a new intrusion alarm system based on a Wireless Sensor Network (WSN). Our system is comprised of two main elements: vehicle detectors that form a virtual barrier and detect perimeter breaches by means of an ultrasonic beam and individual warning devices that transmit alerts to the workers. All these elements have a wireless communication interface and form a network that covers the whole work area. This network is in charge of transmitting and routing the alarms and coordinates the behavior of the system. We have tested our solution under real conditions with satisfactory results.

scholarly journals Influence of Remotely Operated Stop–Slow Controls on Driver Behavior in Work Zones

2017 ◽  
Vol 2615 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashim Kumar Debnath ◽  
Ross Blackman ◽  
Narelle Haworth ◽  
Yusuf Adinegoro
Keyword(s):  
Traffic Control ◽  
Driver Behavior ◽  
Work Zone ◽  
Work Zones ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Traffic Lights ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Driver Understanding ◽  
Rural Work

Remotely operated devices for traffic control—portable traffic lights and automated flagger assistance devices—are used to improve flagger safety in a one-lane-each-way work zone with lane closure. Previous research has measured the effectiveness of these devices as driver compliance rates and driver understanding of the devices, but the effects of these devices on driver behavior have not yet been examined comprehensively. Therefore, the influence of remotely operated stop–slow traffic control devices on driver behavior was examined. Video-recorded traffic movements from a rural work zone in the Queensland state of Australia provided driver speeds, deceleration profiles, stopping behavior, and compliance rates for a set of remotely operated devices new to Australia: static red–amber–green lights, static red–amber lights, static red–amber arrow lights, and mechanical stop–slow signs. Pneumatic tube traffic counters were used to collect driver speeds before and after the devices, and an on-road driver survey was conducted to elicit driver understanding of the devices. Results indicated that drivers had difficulty understanding the new devices, particularly the amber light and amber arrow options (which confused drivers about their meaning—to stop or to go). The new remotely operated devices resulted in higher approach speeds, greater variability in approach speeds, and faster deceleration rates than the flagger method. The good compliance rates observed with the remotely operated devices imply that the devices could improve flagger safety by reducing flagger exposure to traffic; however, the negative effects on driver behavior might indicate an increased risk of rear-end crashes in the advance warning area.

scholarly journals Crash Testing and Analysis of Work-Zone Sign Supports

2002 ◽  
Vol 1797 (1) ◽  
pp. 96-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karla A. Polivka ◽  
Ronald K. Faller ◽  
John R. Rohde ◽  
Dean L. Sicking
Keyword(s):  
Traffic Control ◽  
Work Zone ◽  
Work Zones ◽  
Design Elements ◽  
Impact Performance ◽  
Crash Testing ◽  
Control Devices ◽  
Traffic Control Devices ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Fundamental Design

A variety of traffic-controlling devices are used in work zones; some of these are not normally found on the roadside or in the traveled way outside of the work zones. These devices are used to enhance the safety of the work zones by controlling the traffic through these areas. Because of the placement of the traffic control devices, the devices themselves may be potentially hazardous to both workers and errant vehicles. The impact performance of many work-zone traffic control devices is mainly unknown, and to date limited crash testing has been conducted under the criteria of NCHRP Report 350: Recommended Procedures for the Safety Performance Evaluation of Highway Features. The results of full-scale crash testing of flexible panel work-zone sign stands were evaluated and analyzed to quantify the features that successful devices shared, as well as common features of those devices that failed salient safety criteria. Parameters considered included sign base and upright properties, sign height, cross-member properties, and ancillary details. Results pointed to three problematic, fundamental design issues: ( a) combinations of base and upright stiffness and strength that generally lead to significant windshield damage, ( b) cross members that lead to windshield damage in the end-on (90°) impact orientation, and ( c) appurtenances that have an impact on performance. Although there are a significant number of variables that control the performance of a given device, these generalizations offer a basis for the evaluation of the fundamental design elements.

scholarly journals Control Strategy Optimization for Two-Lane Highway Lane-Closure Work Zones

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (17) ◽  
pp. 4567 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hua ◽  
Wang ◽  
Yu ◽  
Zhu ◽  
Wang
Keyword(s):  
Control Strategy ◽  
Traffic Control ◽  
Queue Length ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Good Alternative ◽  
Management Control ◽  
Work Zone ◽  
Delay Model ◽  
Work Zones ◽  
Two Phase

Traffic control is very important for two-lane highway lane-closure work zone traffic management. Control of the open lane’s right of way is very similar to that of a two-phase signalized intersection. Thus, four control strategies including flagger control, pre-timed control proposed by Schonfeld, pre-timed control proposed by Webster, and actuated control are employed for possible use at work zones. Two primary methodologies, the mathematical delay model adopted from signalized intersections, and the simulation model calibrated with field data, are proposed. The simulation and mathematical results show that control strategies for two one-way road intersections could be used for two-lane highway lane-closure work zones. Flagger control after gap-out distance optimization prevails over all the other control strategies in terms of stopped delay, queue length, and throughput, under low or high volumes. Actuated control could be a good alternative for work zone areas due to its small queue length and large vehicle throughput under moderate volume conditions. Our findings may help to optimize the work-zone control strategy and improve operational efficiency at two-lane highway lane-closure work zones.

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