Download or read book Effects of Police Presence on Speed in a Highway Work Zone written by R. F. Benekohal and published by . This book was released on 1992 with total page 84 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This study evaluated the effects of police presence on the speed of vehicles in a work zone and determined the "halo" effects of police presence (lasting effects when police are gone) on vehicular speeds. A marked police car circulated in a 4-mile long interstate highway work zone and actively enforced the speed limit laws. Variables such as the average speed, speed distribution, percentage of fast-moving motorists, and net speed reductions for cars and trucks were used for evaluation. The results indicated that the average speeds of the cars and trucks were 4.3-4.4, and 4.3-5.0 mph, respectively, lower when police were patrolling the work zone compared to no-police patrol condition. The percentage of fast-moving cars and trucks before the work space decreased by 14% and 32%, respectively, when police were in the work zone. These speed reductions indicate that the police presence was effective in decreasing the speed of vehicles in the work zone. The police presence had halo effects on trucks but not on cars. Trucks traveled at reduced speed when police were present in the work zone and this trend of traveling at the reduced speed continued for a time period at least one hour after the police departed from the work zone. However, cars traveled 2. 4-3. o mph faster and the percentage of fast-moving cars in the work zone increased after the police left the area.
Download or read book Police Presence and Location Effects on Speed Reduction in a Construction Zone with Moving Operations written by R. F. Benekohal and published by . This book was released on 1991 with total page 57 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Analysis and conclusions of the effectiveness of police presence in construction zones to control the speed of motor vehicles.
Download or read book Effects of Police Presence on Speed in a Highway Work Zone written by R. F. Benekohal and published by . This book was released on 1992 with total page 86 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This study evaluated the effects of police presence on the speed of vehicles in a work zone and determined the "halo" effects of police presence (lasting effects when police are gone) on vehicular speeds. A marked police car circulated in a 4-mile long interstate highway work zone and actively enforced the speed limit laws. Variables such as the average speed, speed distribution, percentage of fast-moving motorists, and net speed reductions for cars and trucks were used for evaluation. The results indicated that the average speeds of the cars and trucks were 4.3-4.4, and 4.3-5.0 mph, respectively, lower when police were patrolling the work zone compared to no-police patrol condition. The percentage of fast-moving cars and trucks before the work space decreased by 14% and 32%, respectively, when police were in the work zone. These speed reductions indicate that the police presence was effective in decreasing the speed of vehicles in the work zone. The police presence had halo effects on trucks but not on cars. Trucks traveled at reduced speed when police were present in the work zone and this trend of traveling at the reduced speed continued for a time period at least one hour after the police departed from the work zone. However, cars traveled 2. 4-3. o mph faster and the percentage of fast-moving cars in the work zone increased after the police left the area.
Download or read book Use of Police in Work Zones on Highways in Virginia written by E. D. Arnold and published by . This book was released on 2003 with total page 56 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: It is generally accepted that one of the most effective ways of controlling speed in a work zone is to have a staffed police car positioned at the beginning of the work zone with its lights flashing and radar on. Drivers detect the presence of police either visually or via radar detectors and reduce their speed to comply with the posted work zone speed limit. The reduced speeds and reduced variation in speeds result in fewer accidents and minimize dangerous interactions between vehicles and work zone workers and equipment. A number of studies support these observations. The use of police enforcement in work zones is a common practice among state departments of transportation, and the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is no exception. VDOT has an agreement with the Virginia State Police (VSP) for paying for and implementing the strategy in VDOT work zones and a mutually developed set of guidelines for using police enforcement. The purpose of the research was to document the current practices regarding the use of police in work zones in Virginia and to determine if any enhancements could be made. The research effort consisted of literature reviews to establish the background for police enforcement in work zones, discussion with and input from VDOT and VSP personnel, and the administration of a questionnaire survey. A questionnaire survey was sent to personnel in VDOT, VSP, and VMS, Inc., asking the respondent's opinion about the effectiveness of using police in work zones and a number of questions about the work zone enforcement practices being used. The use of police in work zones was almost unanimously felt to be effective in reducing speeds and improving safety in work zones, and few adverse effects were noted. Recommendations were made regarding the development and implementation of training in basic work zone operations, the development of a standard agreement for possible use with local police agencies, the use of more than one police officer, the promotion of the maximum $500 fine for speeding in work zones, the requirement that police officers wear safety vests when outside their vehicle in a work zone, and the development of a standard pay practice for cancellations.
Download or read book Effectiveness of Extra Enforcement in Construction and Maintenance Work Zones written by and published by . This book was released on 2003 with total page 124 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: As traffic-related work zone crashes continue to increase across the nation, safety of road users and workers has become a top priority for transportation agencies. Since inattention and irresponsible behavior by drivers are surmised to contribute to the frequency of work zone crashes, a program featuring extraordinary presence of and enforcement by law officers has been implemented in many states to address this concern. A literature search of such programs and related research was conducted. While the overall benefits of these activities have been found positive, much of the evidence has been anecdotal. To assess the scope of extra work zone enforcement programs, a survey was developed and distributed to state departments of transportation across the nation. This survey sought information regarding these efforts such as criteria for selection of target work zones, methods of enforcement operations, and beneficial results. A special survey was also designed and distributed to enforcement agencies in Iowa and other selected states. In addition to the surveys, personal contacts and office visits were conducted by the research team staff. The study found that use of extra enforcement in work zones is a common practice in many states and these activities appear to be increasing. Current literature, survey responses, and interviews have all indicated a prevalent opinion for the benefits of increased law enforcement presence and activity in work zones. Very few comments offered conclusions of negative impacts, such as additional congestion, from these efforts. However, the beneficial effects of focused enforcement have not been intensively quantified. In addition, procedures for the use of law officers in work zones are quite inconsistent across the nation, as is the general implementation of specific legislation addressing work zone traffic violations. Similar variation can be found in funding levels and sources for enforcement activities in work zones among the states. Training of law officers prior to work zone duty does not appear to be commonly required, though the value of focused training is being recognized in some states. As crashes and deaths continue to rise annually in our nation's work zones, it is imperative that demonstrated beneficial programs such as the expanded use of law officers in these locations be continued, refined, and expanded. Future study is needed to supplement the knowledge base and provide guidance to agencies when considering the use of law enforcement to calm traffic, ensure compliance with traffic laws, and thus provide for safer work zones.
Download or read book Speed Reduction Methods and Studies in Work Zones written by R. F. Benekohal and published by . This book was released on 1992 with total page 82 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The objectives of this project were to determine the effectiveness of speed control methods and study traffic behavior in construction zones. This report provides a brief introduction and summary of findings from the following reports which were prepared as part of this study: (1) Evaluation and Summary of Studies in Speed Control Methods in Work Zones. (2) Evaluation of a Radar-Activated Horn System for Speed Control in Highway Maintenance Operations. (3) Survey of Driver's Opinion about Work Zone Traffic Control on a Rural Highway. (4) Speed Reduction Effects of Drone Radar in Rural Interstate Work Zones. (5) Speed Reduction Effects of Changeable Message Signs in a Construction Zone. (6) Effects of Police Presence on Speed in a Highway Work Zone: Circulating Marked Police Car Experiment. (7) Evaluation of Work Zone Speed Limit Signs with Strobe Lights. (8) Speed Reduction Profiles of Vehicles in a Highway Construction zone. Data only for those vehicles in free flow traffic are used for speed reduction evaluation. A vehicle was considered to be in free flow traffic when its time headway was greater than 5 seconds.
Download or read book Speed Reduction Methods and Studies in Work Zones written by R. F. Benekohal and published by . This book was released on 1992 with total page 82 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The objectives of this project were to determine the effectiveness of speed control methods and study traffic behavior in construction zones. This report provides a brief introduction and summary of findings from the following reports which were prepared as part of this study: (1) Evaluation and Summary of Studies in Speed Control Methods in Work Zones. (2) Evaluation of a Radar-Activated Horn System for Speed Control in Highway Maintenance Operations. (3) Survey of Driver's Opinion about Work Zone Traffic Control on a Rural Highway. (4) Speed Reduction Effects of Drone Radar in Rural Interstate Work Zones. (5) Speed Reduction Effects of Changeable Message Signs in a Construction Zone. (6) Effects of Police Presence on Speed in a Highway Work Zone: Circulating Marked Police Car Experiment. (7) Evaluation of Work Zone Speed Limit Signs with Strobe Lights. (8) Speed Reduction Profiles of Vehicles in a Highway Construction zone. Data only for those vehicles in free flow traffic are used for speed reduction evaluation. A vehicle was considered to be in free flow traffic when its time headway was greater than 5 seconds.
Download or read book Guidance for Implementation of the AASHTO Strategic Highway Safety Plan written by Nicholas D. Antonucci and published by Transportation Research Board. This book was released on 2005 with total page 177 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Speed Photo radar Enforcement Evaluation in Illinois Work Zones written by R. F. Benekohal and published by . This book was released on 2010 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Evaluation of Work Zone Speed Reduction Measures written by T. H. Maze and published by . This book was released on 2000 with total page 146 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) has made improving work zone (WZ) safety a high priority. Managing vehicle speeds through work zones is perceived to be an important factor in achieving this goal. A number of speed reduction techniques are currently used by transportation agencies throughout the country to control speeds and reduce speed variation at work zones. The purpose of this project is to study these and other applicable work zone speed reduction strategies. Furthermore, this research explores transportation agencies' policies regarding managing speeds in long-term, short-term, and moving work zones. This report consists of three chapters. The first chapter, a literature review, examines the current speed reduction practices at work zones and provides a review of the relevant literature. The speed control strategies reviewed in this chapter range from posting regulatory and advisory speed limit signs to using the latest radar technologies to reduce speeds at work zones. The second chapter includes a short write-up for each identified speed control technique. The write-up includes a description, the results of any field tests, the benefits and the costs of the technology or technique. To learn more about other state policies regarding work zone speed reduction and management, the Center for Transportation Research and Education conducted a survey. The survey consists of six multipart questions. The third chapter provides summaries of the response to each question.
Download or read book Improving Work Zone Safety Through Speed Management written by Norman M. Sommers and published by . This book was released on 2013 with total page 78 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Safety hazards are increased in highway work zones as the dynamics of a work zone introduce a constantly changing environment with varying levels of risk. Excessive speeding through work and maintenance zones is a common occurrence which elevates the dangers to both drivers and motorists in the work zone. Although most work zones are controlled by reduced speed limits or state law enforcement, driver adherence to these regulations and laws in very minimal, especially in work zones. Several studies have shown a correlation between speeding in work zones and traffic crashes which lead most traffic safety professionals to conclude that excessive speeding and speed variance are the contributing factors in a large percentage of traffic crashes, injuries or fatalities. The most influential factor in achieving speed compliance in the work zone is the driver's perception of heightened risk. The main objective of this study was to determine the safest and most effective countermeasure for the reduction of vehicular speeds within construction and maintenance work zones. The purpose of the simulator experiment was to determine the effectiveness of 20 countermeasures on the reduction of speed through work zones in a controlled laboratory setting. The literature review identified several past research studies utilizing speed reduction countermeasures in work zones and under normal traffic conditions. From this review, 20 countermeasures were selected for evaluation based upon discussions with ODOT personnel.The post hoc tests indicated that the presence of construction workers, presence of construction vehicles, law enforcement, speed photo enforcement and shifting lanes were most effective at reducing speeds in work zones. The least effective speed reduction countermeasures included 3 sets of 3 rumble strips, concrete barriers, other channelizing devices and changeable message signs with speed reductions less than 10 mph.
Download or read book Work Zone Speed Management written by John W. Shaw and published by . This book was released on 2015 with total page 152 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This synthesis documents information regarding the current state of practice for work zone speed management. The report compiles data, procedures, techniques, and technical issues related to observing and comparing work zone speeds. The speed management measures have been organized into four categories: engineering, operational, enforcement, and public education and outreach. Information included in this study was acquired through a review of the literature, two surveys of state department of transportation representatives in all states, a compilation of state agency public information campaigns, and follow-up interviews with select survey respondents from several U.S. states and one Canadian province.
Download or read book Highway Research Abstracts written by and published by . This book was released on 1992 with total page 580 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Highway Work Zone Safety written by United States. Congress. House. Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Subcommittee on Highways and Transit and published by . This book was released on 2001 with total page 236 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Experimental Evaluation of Municipal Speed Enforcement Programs written by Jack W. Stuster and published by . This book was released on 1995 with total page 196 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Effective Countermeasures to Reduce Accidents in Work Zones written by Vicki Walker and published by . This book was released on 1999 with total page 92 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Nationally, work zone fatalities peaked at over 800 per year during the 1990s. Arizona tallied 82 fatal and 5,009 injury accidents in work zones during a five year period. In response to this problem, the objectives of this project included: Characterizing the nature of work zone accidents in Arizona; Reviewing countermeasures used throughout the country, and the effectiveness of those countermeasures; and Recommending countermeasures for use in Arizona to improve work zone safety and reduce accidents. A national review of work zone countermeasures was conducted, focussing on the documented effectiveness of various work zone countermeasures. To identify which countermeasures are most appropriate for use in Arizona, a panel of 21 experts was convened. The panel included representatives with a variety of perspectives on the work zone accident problem. The panel selected six principal countermeasures for implementation in Arizona: 1) Work Zone Speed Limits; 2) Police Presence; 3) Speed Limit Enforcement; 4) Public Education; 5) Sign Credibility; and 6) Temporary Pavement Markings in Work Zones.
Download or read book Traffic Law Enforcement in Work Zones written by and published by . This book was released on 2010 with total page 83 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: NCHRP Project 3-80 was initiated to develop guidance on the effective use of traffic enforcement strategies in highway work zones. Traffic enforcement is viewed by many as one of the most effective means available for reducing speeding and other undesirable driving behaviors that compromise safety in a highway work zone. However, practices nationally vary widely on the enforcement strategies and philosophies used in work zones, the administrative mechanisms applied to establish and maintain a work zone enforcement program, payment methods for work zone enforcement efforts, techniques applied to supplement work zone enforcement, and public information dissemination practices employed to support work zone enforcement in a region. In this report, results are described of three research efforts performed to facilitate the development of guidance on this topic: 1) determination of whether driver opinions, perceptions, and behaviors related to the risk of violating traffic laws in work zones differ depending on whether work zone enforcement practices in a region are predominantly passive (positioned in the work zone with lights flashing to attract attention and reduce speeds) or active (pursuit of violators and issuance of citations); 2) determination of the effects of using an enforcement officer and vehicle in a traffic-calming (passive enforcement) mode upstream of work zones where traffic queues develop on the speed, deceleration, and erratic maneuvers of traffic approaching the traffic queue; and 3) a generalized economic analysis of the potential crash cost reductions associated with the provision of enforcement in work zones was undertaken to determine AADT thresholds at which the benefits of providing enforcement in work zones exceeds the costs of enforcement. With respect to the first point, these studies indicate that the use of passive enforcement does not significant degrade driver perceptions of enforcement or driver response to enforcement compared to active enforcement use. Next, studies of enforcement upstream of work zone traffic queues were somewhat inconclusive, and did not indicate a clear effect of having enforcement deployed in this manner. Finally, the analysis of work zone crash costs suggests that enforcement safety benefits outweigh the costs of deployment in daytime work zones on roadways exceeding 5000 to 20,000 vehicles per day (depending on hourly enforcement costs), and at nighttime work zones on roadways exceeding 20,000 to 65,000 vehicles per day.
