Implementation of Traffic Control Devices on Highway Preservation Projects to Enhance Construction Work Zone Safety

Abstract

Highway preservation projects are commonly conducted at night and often require construction workers to work in close proximity to ongoing traffic. This situation creates considerable safety risk for both the workers and passing motorists. It is widely accepted that work zone safety is highly related to vehicle speed, and a lower speed will make the work zone safer. Additionally, vehicle speed and speed variability in work zones is inextricably connected to the work zone design and the selected traffic control devices. Therefore, the type and layout of traffic control devices used in a work zone are important criteria when addressing work zone safety. To provide guidance on how to effectively and efficiently enhance work zone safety, a research study was conducted to investigate the impact of selected traffic control devices within highway preservation project work zones. The researchers implemented multiple traffic control devices on two case study projects and evaluated their impact on vehicle speed, construction productivity, cost, and motorist and worker safety. Interviews were conducted on site to collect worker’s opinions toward traffic control devices implemented each night. Speed data were gathered to evaluate the effectiveness of traffic control devices. A police officer parked on the site was found to effectively reduce traffic speeds and was also highly recommended by interviewees. The research findings also suggest using a combination of temporary reduced speed limit signs, radar speed monitoring display, and PCMS signs on both trailers and rollers.