Download or read book Reduction of Speed in Work Zones Using ITS DMS Instant Feedback to Drivers written by Craig Arnold Roberts and published by . This book was released on 2014 with total page 64 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Research has shown that speeds exceeding those posted at work zones are the primary cause of workzone crashes and account for potentially up to 25 percent of the fatalities. Changeable message signs with radar (CMSR) affected speed reductions across various studies, including a South Carolina study in which a monetary fine message alternated with the speed message. This study examined results of using a Changeable message sign with radar (CMSR) alternating a speed message with a monetary fine message on State Route 89 in Prescott, Arizona. This sign reduced by half the number of speeders driving 15 mph or more over the posted speed limit.
Download or read book Effectiveness of Changeable Message Signs in Controlling Vehicle Speeds in Work Zones written by Nicholas J. Garber and published by . This book was released on 1998 with total page 100 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Highway work zones have been plagued with increasing numbers of accidents in recent years. Drivers' lack of compliance with speed restrictions within work zones has been cited as one of the major contributing factors to this trend. The conventional practice for regulating work zone speeds has been static signing procedures (using regulatory or advisory speed signs). It has been found that drivers do not slow down in response to these static control measures. Changeable message signs (CMS) equipped with a radar unit can be used to display specific warning messages to speeding drivers. The radar unit detects the speed of each vehicle entering the work zone and can be programmed to activate the CMS if the speed of the vehicle exceeds a preset threshold value. This offers a more dynamic speed control environment and therefore may prove to be more effective in influencing drivers to reduce their speeds. This report is the second phase of a longitudinal research study. The first phase of the project, conducted by Garber and Patel, examined the short term effectiveness of CMS in reducing vehicle speeds in work zones. That research established that the CMS (with the radar unit) is more effective in reducing speeds in work zones than the standard Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) signs. This study, while attempting to replicate the results obtained in phase I of the project, concentrated on evaluating the effect of duration of exposure of the CMS with radar on its effectiveness in reducing speeds and influencing speed profiles in work zones. The impact of length of the work zone and vehicle type on speed reductions was also studied. Three work zone sites in southwest Virginia, two on Interstate 81 and one on a primary highway on Route 19, were selected for the study. Speed and volume data for the population were collected using automatic traffic counters at the beginning, middle and end of each work zone. In addition, the speeds of individual drivers who triggered the CMS by exceeding the threshold speed were also recorded (using a video camera) at two other locations within the work zone to study the behavior of high speed drivers in particular and to compute their average speed reduction in response to the warning message. The results of the study indicate that the duration of exposure of the CMS does not have a significant impact on speed characteristics and driver behavior. Therefore, the CMS continues to be effective in controlling speeds in work zones for projects of long duration. It was also determined that the drivers exceeding the speed limit, in both interstate work zones have on average reduced their speeds by around 12.86 km/h (8 mph) at the middle of the work zone. At the third site (Route 19) the speed reductions at the middle of the work zone were about 16.08 km/h (10 mph). It was also found that there were no distinctive differences among the different types of vehicles with regard to speed reduction. The study also established that in longer work zones, drivers who reduced their speeds in response to the speed control effort frequently have a tendency to speed back up as they approach the end of the work zone. This indicates that very long work zones might warrant the installation of a second CMS to maintain speed reductions through the work zone.
Download or read book Effectiveness of Changeable Message Signs in Controlling Vehicle Speeds in Work Zones written by Nicholas J. Garber and published by . This book was released on 1994 with total page 108 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Work zone speeds have customarily been regulated by standard regulatory or advisory speed signs. However, most drivers do not slow down in response to these static speed control measures. The changeable message sign (CMS) with radar unit has dynamic capabilities which may be more effective in altering driver behavior. The radar, attached directly to the CMS, determines the actual speed of individual vehicles in the traffic stream. Upon detecting a speed higher than a preset threshold limit, the CMS can display a personalized warning message. This study evaluated the effectiveness of the CMS with radar unit in reducing work zone speeds. Four CMS messages designed to warn drivers that their speed exceeded the maximum safe speed were tested at seven work zones on two interstate highways in Virginia. Speed and volume data for the whole population traveling through the work zone were collected with automatic traffic counters. To assess the effect of CMS on high-speed drivers in particular, vehicles that triggered the radar-activated display were videotaped as they passed through the work zone. Using the data obtained from the traffic counters and videotapes, speed characteristics were determined at the beginning, middle, and end of the work zone. These characteristics were computed for the whole population and for high-speed vehicles separately. Statistical tests were then conducted using these speed characteristics to determine whether significant reductions in speed accompanied the use of CMS. Odds ratios were first calculated to compare the odds for speeding when using CMS with the odds for speeding when using the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) signing only. These odds ratios indicated that CMS effectively reduced the number of vehicles speeding by any amount, by 5 mph or more, and by 10 mph or more in the work zone. When analysis of variance was used to compare speeds when using the CMS with speeds when using MUTCD signing only, all of the speed characteristics average speeds, 85th percentile speeds, speed variance, and the percentage of vehicles speeding by any amount, by 5 mph or more, and by 10 mph or more were reduced with any of the four CMS messages. In some cases, these reductions were not significant at a= 0.05. The messages were rated according to their level of effectiveness in the following order: [1] YOU ARE SPEEDING SLOW DOWN, [2] HIGH SPEED SLOW DOWN, [3] REDUCE SPEED IN WORK ZONE, and [4] EXCESSIVE SPEED SLOW DOWN. Finally, t tests were conducted using the speed data obtained for the high-speed vehicles, and at a significance level of ct 0.05, all of the messages were effective in significantly reducing the average speeds of those vehicles traveling 59 mph or faster in a 55 mph work zone when compared to MUTCD signing only.
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 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 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 Speed Control Through Work Zones written by and published by . This book was released on 1987 with total page 56 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Work Zone Speed Analysis Using Driving Simulator Data written by Arash Adeli and published by . This book was released on 2014 with total page 100 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This study investigates drivers' behavior in the highway work zone by incorporating virtual data collected by a high fidelity driving simulator. The study specifically examined speed variations along the work zone and compliance with the speed limit. A large network of 154 square miles southwest of Baltimore was developed in driving simulator. Over 100 participants from different socioeconomic groups were recruited to run driving tests under the study scenarios. Speed analysis was performed in both aggregate and disaggregate levels in work zone and in the areas under the influence of work zone related signs. The results demonstrate that drivers significantly comply with the speed limit in work zone and reduced their speed as they approached the work zone. Evaluation of speed limit violators confronting the work zone and its associated signs reveals that the majority of speed limit violators comply with the speed limit. Age, road familiarity and experience had a significant impact on speed limit compliance in the work zone while education level, income level and gender didn't reveal a clear association. Study results showed that although most of the drivers increased their speed immediately after passing the work zone, the compliance rate with the speed limit increased in comparison with the upstream zone, which demonstrate a sustainable effect of work zone and its associated signs on speed limit compliance behavior. The findings of this study could benefit transportation agencies for proper design of work zones and practice to increase safety for workers and drivers by predicting driver behavior in work zones. -- Abstract.
Download or read book Evaluation and Summary of Studies in Speed Control Methods in Work Zones written by R. F. Benekohal and published by . This book was released on 1992 with total page 114 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This report summarizes and evaluates the important findings from the literature review of the studies on work zone speed control techniques. The following treatments are included in this report: 1) flagging, 2) lane width reduction, 3) law enforcement, 4) changeable message signs (CMS), 5) rumble strips, and 6) flashing beacons. The effects of the speed control treatments on speed and traffic flow are evaluated based on: A) experiences with treatment, B) effects of treatment on speed, C) effectiveness of treatment, and D) comments about treatment. A brief description of the conditions under which the treatments were applied is provided, and the speed reduction effects of each technique are discussed. A reference matrix was prepared to identify publications related to each type of speed reduction treatment used in work zones.
Download or read book Speed Reduction Effects of Changeable Message Signs in a Construction 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 vehicular speed reduction effects of displaying speed limit and information messages on a changeable message sign (CMS) placed inside the work activity area in a work zone for a one lane closure on a rural interstate highway. It also examined the additional effects of using two CMS devices compared to one CMS. The following three experiments were conducted: (1) One CMS in advance of the work zone (Experiment 1), (2) One CMS inside the work activity area (Experiment 2), and (3) Two CMSs inside the work activity area (Experiment 3). Displaying speed limit and information messages on CMSs placed in the work activity area was effective in reducing the average speed and percentages of vehicles with excessive speeds. Comparing the results from Experiments 2 and 3 indicated that displaying the CMS messages reduced the speed of cars immediately after passing the CMS, but not at a point far from the CMS. Although trucks did not consistently reduce their speeds near the first CMS, trucks traveled at reduced speeds after passing the CMS. Cars and trucks reduced their speeds by as much as 5 and 4 mph, respectively, near the CMS. The speed reduction depended on the travel speed of the vehicles. Placing the CMS in the work activity area was more effective than putting it in advance of the work zone.
Download or read book Synthesis of Practices for Work Zone Speed Management written by M. D. Harmelink and published by TAC = ATC. This book was released on 2005-01-01 with total page 124 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Speeding in work zones is one of the most common traffic violations observed by road builders and road maintenance crews. It creates an unsafe environment for road workers and all types of road users. This synthesis is intended to help address this situation by reviewing work zone speed management efforts in Canada and the United States. The report provides an overview of technologies and methods for managing speed in work zones, with topics ranging from posted speed limit reductions and narrowing lanes to portable variable message signs and enforcement. In addition, the report discusses other methods for speed management, including merge control, driver and worker education, and real-time traffic information systems. The report also provides a number of conclusions and recommendations based on the synthesis, which identify some of the key problems and solutions.
Download or read book Speed Variation and Safety in Work Zones written by John Anthony Gambatese and published by . This book was released on 2021 with total page 368 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In addition to lower speeds, the difference between vehicle speed and the average speed on the roadway has been identified as a factor in roadway crashes. For work zones, the potential for such speed variation from the average speed is magnified. The safety associated with speed variation in work zones affects both motorists driving through the work zone and the workers in the work zone. The overall goal of this research is to develop additional knowledge and practices that can be used to improve driver and worker safety in work zones and, as a result, mobility through work zones. The research focuses on high-speed roadways (e.g., highways and freeways) and typical mobile construction and maintenance operations that occur on such roadways (e.g., paving and re-striping). The research presented in this report involved a review of the archival literature germane to the topic of speed variation (with and without a work zone), the analysis results of speed variation and crash occurrence, and the impacts of selected traffic control interventions on speed variation in work zones in Oregon. The PCMS unit showing alternating messages "MAINTAIN CONSTANT SPEED" and "THRU WORK ZONE" in two phases and placed at the advance warning area was found to effectively reduce speed variation in the work zone. Based on the findings, the researchers recommend use of PCMS units that display custom messages to maintain constant speed for work zone operations on high-speed roadways.
Download or read book Strategies for Work Zone Transportation Management Plans written by Leverson Boodlal and published by . This book was released on 2020 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: One of the ways a state department of transportation or other transportation agency can address work zone safety and other impacts is to develop and implement a Transportation Management Plan (TMP). The TRB National Cooperative Highway Research Program's NCHRP Research Report 945: Strategies for Work Zone Transportation Management Plans provides a practitioner-ready guidebook on how to select and implement strategies that improve safety and traffic operations in roadway construction work zones. Supplemental materials to the report include NCHRP Web-Only Document 276: Evaluating Strategies for Work ZoneTransportation Management Plans; fact sheets on ramp meter, reversible lane, and truck restrictions; and guidebook appendices.
Download or read book Effective Interventions for Speeding Motorists written by Fiona Fylan and published by Wallflower Press. This book was released on 2006-01-01 with total page 105 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Summarises the results of research undertaken by two independent research groups (Brainbox Research and the University of Leeds) into the components of interventions that are most likely to change the behaviour of speeding drivers. This work also reports the discussions and consensus of an expert group meeting of scientists and stakeholders.
Download or read book Guidelines for Design and Operation of Nighttime Traffic Control for Highway Maintenance and Construction written by James E. Bryden and published by Transportation Research Board. This book was released on 2002 with total page 131 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Roadside Design Guide written by American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. Task Force for Roadside Safety and published by . This book was released on 1989 with total page 560 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Work Zone Operations Best Practices Guidebook written by U.s. Department of Transportation and published by CreateSpace. This book was released on 2015-02-21 with total page 294 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This Work Zone Best Practices Guidebook provides an easily accessible compilation of work zone operations practices used and recommended by various States and localities around the country. The Guidebook is a reference document that can be updated with new approaches, technologies, and practices for effectively managing work zones and reducing the impacts of work zones on mobility and safety as they are identified. The best practices are descriptive, not prescriptive. They describe approaches that have been successfully used by transportation agencies, along with contact information to find out more from the agency using the practice. Each organization must determine which of these practices are best suited for its particular situation, considering all the site-specific factors that affect work zone operations.
