Risk Analysis of Freeway Lane Closure during Peak Period

Abstract

This paper examines risks associated with peak period lane closure during construction or maintenance work on urban freeways. In accordance with recently implemented policy by the Colorado Department of Transportation, lane closure would be allowed if reserve capacity were available. A relatively minor accident in the work zone caused substantial delays during the peak period that virtually paralyzed traffic in the Denver, Colorado, metropolitan area. This occurrence caused reexamination of the existing lane closure policy. Generally speaking, if a contractor is allowed greater flexibility in establishing work schedules, including the ability to work through peak periods, a lower bid can be expected. This paper compares savings in the cost of construction related to allowing lane closure during peak periods with the cost of potential incident-related delays in the framework of a quantitative risk analysis.