Work Zone News Archive
Safe and Effective Speed Reductions for Freeway Work Zones Phase 2 - 10/22/2014
The Oregon Department of Transportation conducted a research study to investigate the impact of selected traffic control devices on vehicle speeds within highway paving project work zones. The research study, which follows a similar study conducted a year earlier, centered around two case studies on multi-lane paving projects in Oregon. On each case study, the researchers implemented combinations of multiple traffic control devices ("Speed 50" signs, portable changeable message signs (PCMS), and radar speed displays) and evaluated their impact on vehicle speed. The research findings suggest using a combination of reduced speed limit signs, radar speed monitoring displays, and PCMS signs on either trailers or rollers. The results of the present study complement those of the prior study and, combined with the prior study, provide ODOT with guidance on the selection of traffic control measures for freeway preservation projects.
Improving Work Zone Safety for Visually Impaired Pedestrians - 9/25/2014
The Minnesota Department of Transportation recently funded a project through the University of Minnesota to develop a smartphone app that can detect upcoming work zones and provide routing instructions for visually impaired pedestrians. The app uses Bluetooth beacons—which can be attached to signs, posts, or construction barriers in a work zone—that communicate with the GPS receiver on a user's smartphone. When a beacon is detected, the phone vibrates and provides an audio message. The message includes the pedestrian's current location, the location of the work zone, and suggested routing instructions. The user can tap the smartphone to have the message repeated.
Mitigating Work Zone Safety and Mobility Challenges through Intelligent Transportation Systems: Case Studies - 8/26/2014
Describes how five sites used ITS to mitigate work zone safety and mobility issues and illustrates how to apply a systems engineering-based decision-making process to designing, selecting, and implementing a system.
Colorado DOT Report: Full Closure Strategic Analysis - 7/24/2014
The Colorado DOT (CDOT) report, Full Closure Strategic Analysis, provides a decision process for evaluating full roadway closures for construction and maintenance activities and determining if the closure should be approved or denied by CDOT Traffic personnel. The study reviewed current full closure practices in Colorado and throughout the country, gathered stakeholder input, and employed an iterative development process to reach a systematic decision tool that can be applied to judge the merits of full closure scenarios. The report includes case studies illustrating how the decision process can be applied to nine full closure projects.
ARTBA Accepting Nominations for the 2014 Roadway Work Zone Safety Awareness Awards - 7/3/2014
ARTBA is accepting nominations for the 2014 "Roadway Work Zone Safety Awareness Awards," which recognizes the outstanding safety efforts of both public and private-sector organizations involved in building the U.S. Transportation network. Nominations are accepted in three categories: outreach campaigns, worker training, and innovations in technology. Nominations are due by July 18, 2014. The competition is open to all interested individuals and organizations.
California Calls for Drivers to "Be Work Zone Alert" on State Highways - 7/2/2014
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), California Highway Patrol (CHP), and the California Office of Traffic Safety are asking drivers to "Be work zone alert" to help save lives on the roadway. The "Be Work Zone Alert" campaign features numerous public service announcements and nearly 60 billboards across the state on which the children of highway workers remind drivers to stay alert in California work zones.
Work Zone Safety: Physical and Behavioral Barriers in Accident Prevention - 7/1/2014
The Missouri DOT recently released a report that discusses the usefulness of creating a work zone traffic safety culture as a methodology to improve the overall safety of both work zone personnel and the traveling public in Missouri. An analysis of Missouri work zone crash data found that contributing circumstances in work zone crashes involving vehicle interactions suggest that human factors are key risk elements. Solutions to mitigate fatal or severe crashes should include stakeholder education, higher enforcement and legislation designed to minimize distracted driving, and engineering solutions designed to increase driver awareness.
Minimizing User Delay and Crash Potential through Highway Work Zone Planning - 7/1/2014
This Texas DOT report analyzes delay and safety concerns associated with various work zone conditions and provides traffic control recommendations to ensure efficient operations and conditions for both users and workers. The report suggests conditions for optimal use of early merge or late merge and provides guidelines for use of signal-controlled merge operations.
Virginia DOT Road Project Information Web Site - 7/1/2014
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) launched a new Web site to provide information on road projects across the state. The VirginiaRoads portal includes interactive maps that show the location of paving and construction projects, as well as real-time traffic information.
NIOSH Recommendations to Prevent Backover Injuries and Fatalities - 7/1/2014
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recently released a report containing a number of safety recommendations aimed at reducing injuries and fatalities caused by backing construction vehicles and equipment. The report provides recommendations for employers and workers and includes topics such as equipment operation and servicing, communication, and training.
Work Zone ITS Webinar Materials Available - 6/3/2014
This webinar, held January 30, 2014, provided an overview of work zone intelligent transportation systems (ITS), available FHWA work zone ITS resources, and FHWA's new publication on Work Zone ITS Implementation. The Work Zone ITS Implementation Guide targets the unique challenges and constraints of implementing technology in a work zone environment. A recording of the webinar, transcript, and the presentation are now available.
Evaluation of an Immersive Virtual Learning Environment for Simulating Highway Work Zones - 6/3/2014
The Louisiana Transportation Research Center conducted research on the effectiveness of using an Immersive Virtual Learning Environment (IVLE) simulating real-world highway work zones for delivering the content in a work zone safety Basic Flagging Procedures course. Use of IVLE technology may aid in decreasing the number of work zone fatalities that occur each year by allowing users to apply work zone regulations and procedures in a realistic, although simulated, highway construction or maintenance work zone environment.
2014 National Accelerated Bridge Construction Conference - 4/16/2014
TRB is cosponsoring the 2014 National Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) Conference on December 4-5, 2014, in Miami, Florida. The conference will be designed to focus on pre-fabricated bridge elements, systems, and technologies that will allow accelerating construction of bridges using various materials and techniques. ABC helps to significantly reduce traffic disruptions to motorists, as roadwork is done in a fraction of the time and long-term work zones can be avoided. Because exposure to work zones is reduced, safety for the traveling public and construction workers is improved (refer to http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/wz/construction/accelerated/index.htm#abc for more information). ABC projects successfully completed in the United States and internationally will be discussed at the Conference. Several ABC workshops will be held on December 3, one day prior to the conference. Individuals or groups wishing to present at the meeting must submit an abstract by April 28, 2014.
Work Zone Intelligent Transportation Systems Implementation Guide: Use of Technology and Data for Effective Work Zone Management - 3/31/2014
Work zone ITS is one operational management strategy that agencies may use in a transportation management plan (TMP). Geared towards public agencies, design and construction firms, and industry, this document summarizes key steps for successfully implementing ITS in work zones, using a systematic approach towards achieving work zone safety and mobility objectives.
Improving the Effectiveness of Nighttime Temporary Traffic Control Warning Devices - 3/20/2014
The Illinois Center for Transportation at the University of Illinois has released two reports on the effectiveness of nighttime temporary traffic control warning devices. Volume 1 reviews the effectiveness of warning lights on nighttime work zone channelization devices, such as drums and barricades. Volume 2 discusses the effectiveness of warning lights on nighttime highway operations, including mobile lane closures, incident responses, and police activities.
Portable, Non-Intrusive Advance Warning Devices for Work Zones With or Without Flag Operators - 3/20/2014
This report describes a Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) study to develop a work zone alert system informing speeding drivers of the upcoming work zone and raising their attention level before they reach the taper line and/or the work zone flag operator. The resulting system, termed Intelligent Drum Line (IDL), is capable of delivering visual and auditory warnings, targeting vehicles that are exceeding the posted or temporary speed limit upstream of the work zone. Although, still in a prototype stage, the IDL system has received high marks from MnDOT engineers and work zone workers. Further development is needed to ensure that the final product is crash proof and that it can be produced efficiently.
New York State DOT Opens I-81 Reconstruction Outreach Center - 3/20/2014
The New York State Department of Transportation has opened an outreach center in Syracuse to gather input from the public on various reconstruction options for a portion of I-81. The center allows residents to access information on the I-81 reconstruction project, as well as ask questions and make comments. The goal is to find reconstruction options that will not have negative effects on the surrounding community.
