Best Practice

BEST PRACTICE:

I1−4: Helping All Work Zones Keep Safe (HAWKS) Program

DESCRIPTION:

This is a program between North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) and the North Carolina State Highway Patrol to monitor work zones where crashes and/or speeding is a problem. The program funds off−duty highway patrolmen to monitor and provide surveillance to problematic work zones. Work zones are selected based on a scoring system that uses data on crash rate, average speed, congestion, and the type of roadway to determine priority locations. This program is supported by Federal funding and uses an 80/20 reimbursement ratio to fund these activities.

REASON(S) FOR ADOPTING:

Previous law enforcement efforts in work zones were not organized and prioritized. The HAWKS program allows the DOT to select and coordinate the work zones where enforcement and surveillance activities are needed. In addition, this program is more cost effective than previous efforts in that NCDOT can select specific focus areas for enforcement.

PRIMARY BENEFIT(S):

The greatest benefit is the reduction of work zone crashes and fatalities. Also, whenever crashes occur in these work zones, the presence of law enforcement dramatically reduces clearance times and the return of normal traffic flow through the zone.

MOST APPLICABLE LOCATION(S)/PROJECT(S):

Projects selected for review are typically significant projects which are usually on high−speed/volume freeways. However, the HAWKS has been proven effective for all types of roadways with speed limits of 55 MPH and greater.

STATE(S) WHERE USED:

North Carolina

SOURCE/CONTACT(S):

Ron Hancock, P.E., State Construction Engineer, North Carolina DOT
Phone: (919) 707−2812
E−mail: Rhancock@ncdot.gov