Abstract
Society pays a high cost for work zone crashes in terms of operational disruptions, property damage, injuries, and loss of life. Given narrow lanes in work zones, large trucks are of particular concern. Truck-involved collisions in work zones, as opposed to non-truck-involved collisions in North Carolina, are empirically examined. This examination helps in understanding which work zone attributes are empirically associated with the most seriously injured occupant and total harm in a crash. Specifically, with a unique data set, effects of the following variables were explored: type of work zone, presence of warning signs and cones, type of activity in the work zone, location of the crash in the work zone, and construction impact of the work zone on the roadway. The results show that work zone crashes in North Carolina, especially those involving large trucks, were more injurious than were non—work zone crashes. Rigorous modeling results suggest that truck-involved multivehicle crashes were most injurious and harmful when ( a) they occurred on two-way undivided or two-way divided but unprotected (without a median barrier) roadways; ( b) the roadway was closed and a detour was required on the opposite side; ( c) they occurred adjacent to the work area; and ( d) the posted speed limits were higher. The results provide valuable information on high-risk factors in work zones.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
More From: Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.