Active Work Zone Safety: Preventing Accidents Using Intrusion Sensing Technologies

Ibukun Awolusi,Eric D. Marks

doi:10.3389/fbuil.2019.00021

Ibukun Awolusi, Eric D. Marks

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3389/fbuil.2019.00021

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Abstract

Highway construction work zones are hazardous environments characterized by a dynamic and limited workspace. A host of interactions between workers, passing commuter vehicles, and moving construction equipment occurs in highway work zones, fostering dangerous situations that can result in injury or death. Active strategies, such as the deployment of intrusion sensing and alert technologies in highway work zones and in transportation infrastructure construction and maintenance, can be effective at mitigating these unforeseen conditions. The main objective of this study was to conduct both conceptual analysis and experimental evaluation of intrusion sensing technologies for work zone safety. To achieve the objectives of this research, an exploratory review of the applicable technologies was conducted to identify the intrusion technologies that can be implemented for work zone safety. An objective assessment of each technology was provided based on selected evaluation metrics to elicit their capabilities. Candidate commercially available technologies were selected and evaluated using field experiments in simulated work zones. The findings of the study indicate that the commercially available technologies have the potential to enhance safety of work zone workers by providing warning alerts when hazardous situations exist. This research contributes to the body of knowledge by providing strategies for selecting and implementing intrusion sensing technologies for active work zone safety.

Highlights

Work zone safety is a major concern for many community members, including government agencies, legislatures, and the traveling public (Chambless et al, 2002; Ullman et al, 2008)
The review culminated in the selection of candidate commercially available technologies which were evaluated using experimental trials to assess their implementation for work zone safety
The applicable intrusion technologies for work zone safety were reviewed in this paper

Summary

Introduction

Work zone safety is a major concern for many community members, including government agencies, legislatures, and the traveling public (Chambless et al, 2002; Ullman et al, 2008). Transportation infrastructure provides many social benefits to any society and plays a critical role in the proper functioning of the economy (Andrijcic et al, 2013). The need to maintain and rehabilitate existing roadway systems rises as traffic volume increases and highway infrastructure ages (Cerezo et al, 2011). The maintenance, reconstruction, and constant upgrading of these infrastructures are pivotal to meeting the ever-increasing needs of a growing economy (Duranton and Turner, 2012). The increasing number of roadway widening, rehabilitation, and reconstruction projects has made work zone safety a critical concern (Cerezo et al, 2011) due to increase in construction workers’ exposure to hazardous conditions. Highway construction and maintenance operations commonly require personnel to work near ongoing traffic, a situation that creates significant safety risks for both the construction employees

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