Delineation Systems for Temporary Traffic Barriers in Work Zones

Delineation Systems for Temporary Traffic Barriers in Work Zones
Author: Frank D. Shepard
Publisher:
Total Pages: 26
Release: 1986
Genre: Road markings
ISBN:

Providing for the safety of traffic traversing construction and maintenance work zones is becoming increasingly complex, and over the past several years, temporary concrete barriers have come into use as a means of protecting work crews as well as motorists. This report discusses five delineation systems for such barriers, including the system presently being used in Virginia. Presented is information on the fabrication, installation, durability, and cost of the systems.

Work Zone Traffic Control Information Catalog

Work Zone Traffic Control Information Catalog
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages: 44
Release: 1992
Genre: Roads
ISBN:

This booklet is intended to be a single information resource for currently available Technology Transfer (T2) products on the subjects of traffic control and safety in highway construction and maintenance zones. This booklet is of particular value to state and local highway engineers who are responsible for planning, managing, implementing and inspecting traffic control devices in work and maintenance zones, as well as to individuals who are in need of, or provide, continuing training on all aspects of work-zone traffic management. For each product listed, the address and telephone number of contact agencies are provided along with a brief description and the terms for acquisition.

Work Zone Traffic Control Delineation for Channelization

Work Zone Traffic Control Delineation for Channelization
Author: Kenneth S. Opiela
Publisher:
Total Pages: 112
Release: 1990
Genre: Automobile drivers
ISBN:

This report describes a study of the delineation requirements for work zone traffic control. The research included a comprehensive review of past studies and current practices, and an examination of current standards. It was concluded that, in spite of the increasing number of different types of channelizing devices, there appears to be no scientific basis for the spacing criteria for the use of devices for channelization purposes in the taper or tangent sections of a work zone. A laboratory-based testing procedure was used to determine the most appropriate spacing configuration. An interactive video system was used to test subject recognition distances of eight different device types spaced at the standard distance, 1.5 times and 2.0 times the standard distance. Over 240 subjects were tested.

Delineation of Concrete Safety-shaped Barriers

Delineation of Concrete Safety-shaped Barriers
Author: Gerald L. Ullman
Publisher:
Total Pages: 114
Release: 1988
Genre: Road markings
ISBN:

This report summarizes research activities regarding the delineation of concrete safety-shaped barriers (CSSBs) in situations where the barrier is located close to the travel lane. Included in this report are: a summary of current barrier delineation practices in Texas; review of past CSSB research; discussion of results of field studies of CSSB delineation treatments on urban freeways in Austin and Houston, TX; and discussion of several mechanisms suggested for cleaning CSSB delineators.

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.