A Study of Accident Experience in Construction and Maintenance Zones

A Study of Accident Experience in Construction and Maintenance Zones
Author: Zoltan Anthony Nemeth
Publisher:
Total Pages: 198
Release: 1990
Genre: Roads
ISBN:

The objective of this study was to identify means by which improved traffic control can improve traffic safety at work zones. The accident data base was derived from the coded information stored in the computerized data bank of the Ohio Department of Highway Safety. Coding errors and unreported accidents were recognized as limitations of the data base. Statistical analysis of statewide aggregate data failed to identify cause and effect relationships between accident characteristics and traffic control. The study was expanded to include the review of individual accident reports at nine construction sites. This approach proved very effective. The accident reports which always included a sketch and a description of the event often indicated that specific traffic control procedures and standards needed to be improved. It has become clear to the researchers that certain types of accidents at a given work zone can suggest specific problems with traffic control plans and/or with the implementation of the plans. Monitoring work zone accidents as they happen is of course the best way to recognize and eliminate problems.

Crash Characteristics at Work Zones

Crash Characteristics at Work Zones
Author: Nicholas J. Garber
Publisher:
Total Pages: 44
Release: 2002
Genre: Road work zones
ISBN:

Work zones tend to cause hazardous conditions for drivers and construction workers since they generate conflicts between construction activities and traffic. A clear understanding of the characteristics of work zone crashes will enhance the selection of the appropriate measures that can minimize the negative impacts of work zones. This study investigated the characteristics of work zone crashes that occurred in Virginia between 1996 and 1999. The information on each crash was obtained from the police crash record. The location of each crash was categorized as being in one of the five areas of a typical work zone: advance warning area, transition area, longitudinal buffer area, activity area, and termination area. An analysis of the percentage distributions was then carried out with respect to area in work zone, severity, type of collision, and type of highway. The proportionality test was used to determine significant differences at the 5 percent significance level. Selected crash characteristics, such as the proportions of single- and multi-vehicle crashes, were compared for work zone and non-work zone crashes. The results indicated that the activity area was the predominant location for work zone crashes regardless of highway type and that rear-end crashes were the predominant type of crash. The results also indicated that the proportion of sideswipe same direction crashes in the transition area was significantly higher than in the advance warning area and that work zone crashes involved a higher proportion of multi-vehicle crashes and fatal crashes than did non-work zone crashes.

Traffic Control Systems in Construction Workzones

Traffic Control Systems in Construction Workzones
Author: R. A. Raub
Publisher:
Total Pages: 262
Release: 2000
Genre: Roads
ISBN:

Traffic control devices in workzones are intended to provide sufficient guidance to motorists to help prevent collisions, especially with construction operations, and based on study of their use in Illinois, they appear to be meeting the objectives. What has been discovered in assessing workzone traffic control and crashes is that collisions occur more frequently than reports show and in ways not necessarily addressed in previous studies. For the most part, traffic control devices (TCD) within the actual construction area require no changes. They are protecting the workers from the motorists. What leads to collisions inside the work area are reduced lane widths and lack of adequate escape, especially on limited access roadways. As a result, the most frequent type of collision is rear-end, often caused by drivers stopping or suddenly slowing because of distractions. Outside the work area, the problem appears more related to poor driving behavior and need for some improved guidance for motorists, especially within the merge areas. When taking into account the under-reporting of crashes, with the exception of increases in certain manners of collision such as rear-end, the crashes appear no more severe than crashes occurring outside such zones. Crashes with pedestrians (which includes workers) also appear no more likely than in locations without workzones. On the other hand, crash reporting appears unlikely to include portions of the workzone away from the actual construction area. Using a set of crash reports in which the workzone was defined clearly to include the approach, taper, and exit, analysis suggests that crashes are almost as likely to occur outside the actual construction area as within. It is these crashes outside which appeared more severe and more amenable to enhanced traffic control, especially enforcement. The report recommends practices which could reduce crashes in the approach and where changes or reductions in lanes occur. In addition to other recommendations, a model for a process to be used in generating and reviewing workzone traffic controls has been developed.

Human Factors in Transportation

Human Factors in Transportation
Author: Gesa Praetorius, Charlott Sellberg and Riccardo Patriarca
Publisher: AHFE International
Total Pages: 770
Release: 2023-07-19
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 1958651710

Proceedings of the 14th International Conference on Applied Human Factors and Ergonomics (AHFE 2023), July 20–24, 2023, San Francisco, USA