Work Zone Fatality Reduction Strategies

slide 1: Work Zone Fatality Reduction Strategies

NCDOT – WORK ZONE TRAFFIC CONTROL SECTION

MAY 23, 2012

Steve Kite, PE

[PDF version, 319 KB]
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slide 2: Basic NCDOT facts

2nd largest state maintained road system in US, over 80,000 miles
Over 1000 miles of Interstate
Size is roughly 400 miles by 200 miles
3 Distinctly different geographical regions

Road map of the State of North Carolina

slide 3: Why are we seeing a "downward" trend in WZ fatalities?

Better drivers?
Fewer drivers?
Better Engineering/TMP's?
Fewer Projects?
Fewer "Significant" Projects
More Law Enforcement in Work Zones?
Better "Outreach" and Public Information?
Better Coordination with Partners?

slide 4: North Carolina Total Crashes

Bar graph shows that in North Carolina, in 2008 there were 235,347 total crashes, in 2009 there were 231,470 total crashes, in 2010 there were 237,652 total crashes, in 2011 there were 232,600 total crashes, and so far in 2012 there have been 222,916 total crashes.

slide 5: Work Zone Crashes

ii Graph shows that, in North Carolina, there were 2,381 work zone crashes in 2008; 2,125 in 2009; 2,563 in 2010; 3,318 in 2011; and 2,998 so far in 2012.

slide 6: North Carolina Fatal Crashes

Graph shows a steady decline in fatal crashes in North Carolina, with 1,466 in 2008; 1,345 in 2009; 1,323 in 2010, 1,208 in 2011, and 996 so far in 2012.

slide 7: Work Zone Fatal Crashes

Graph shows that North Carolina had 31 work zone fatal crashes in 2007, 21 in 2008, 11 in 2009, 9 in 2010, and so far there have been 12 work zone fatal crashes in 2012.

slide 8: Vehicle Miles Driven

Graph depicts vehicle miles traveled in North Carolina. In 2009, there were 1,009 hundred million VMT, in 2006 there were 1,016 hundred million VMT, in 2007 there were 1,036 hundred million VMT, in 2008 and 2009 there were 1,015 hundred million VMT, in 2010 there were 1,024 hundred million VMT, and in 2011 there were 1,015 hundred million vehicle miles traveled.

slide 9: So...what factors are contributing to the WZ fatality reductions?

Not a "unique" solution or strategy...it's a combination of multiple strategies and processes
Let's face the reality...some "GOOD LUCK"!

slide 10: Work Zone Planning

Identification of "Significant Projects" in the Scoping Process
Investigating more "Accepted" Traffic Management Strategies to reduce Project Durations
Using more "innovative" contracting approaches for the "Significant" Projects

slide 11: 1. Identification of Significant Projects in the Scoping Process

This is a coordinated effort between the Work Zone Traffic Control Section, Planning Engineers and the Divisions
This begins at the Scoping Timeframe
It initiates more conversation/discussion about Traffic Management Strategy selections and Project Durations

slide 12: 2. Investigating more "Innovative" Traffic Management Strategies to reduce Project Durations and Cost

Full Road Closures
Partial Road Closures
Cross-Over Strategies
"System-wide" Improvements
Utilization of more Department Owned Assets (Permanent ITS and IMAP Services)

slide 13: 3. Using more "innovative" contracting approaches for the "Significant" Projects

Design/Build
- Letting larger projects instead of a series of projects
- Utilizing the Contractor/PEF Team approach to delivering projects faster with innovative designs
Accelerated Construction to match the Traffic Management Strategy (i.e., full closure)
"A+B" Bidding
Incentive payment contracts for early completion

slide 14: Work Zone Management

Utilization of Project Coordination Teams consisting of Incident Mgt, State Highway Patrol, Construction Personnel, Contractors, WZTCS, Division Traffic.
Utilization of the "HAWKS" program to increase Law Enforcement in High Risk Work Zones
Access/Availability to work zone crash information in a reasonable timeframe
Better Public Information Outreach Efforts
Enhancement of Speed Reduction Criteria to allow for "short term" speed limit reductions

slide 15: 1. Utilization of Project Coordination Teams for "Significant" Projects

Utilization of Project Coordination Teams consisting of Incident Mgt, State Highway Patrol, Construction Personnel, Contractors, WZTCS, Division Traffic.
These teams meet monthly to discuss on going issues related to trends in crashes, wz congestion, upcoming traffic switches etc.

slide 16: 2. Utilization of "HAWKS" Program

"HAWKS" – Helping All Work Zones Keep Safe
Made up of "off duty" Highway Patrolman
80% reimbursement by FHWA
Coordinated with Resident Engineer's Office to alert them when their services are needed
Projects selected based on prior crash history and historical data related to speeding

slide 17: 3. Access/Availability of WZ Crash Data

WZ Crash Data is being supplied more timely and consistently
This data is shared with Project Coordination Teams
Discussion takes place about location and types of crashes currently being witnessed by Project Coordination Team
Recommendations provided to Resident Engineer and the Division for possible incorporation

slide 18: 4. Outreach Efforts

Leveraging the Rulemaking to increase public information through local media outlets
Increasing the use and capabilities of the portable changeable message signs
Posting more videos/public service messages on public media sites such as Facebook and Twitter

slide 19: 5. Enhancement of Speed Reduction Criteria

Established separate criteria for short-term speed limit reductions versus long-term
Revised criteria for speed reductions and speeding penalties
Better enforcement of these and better "COMPLIANCE" by motorists of these.

slide 20: Can North Carolina maintain the Current Trend?

No one knows for sure, but as the economy improves so will ridership and crashes will increase
The biggest threat to overall highway safety is distracted driving through the use of cell phones and various other e-gadgets
What will we do to combat these ongoing issues?