Highway Construction Work Zones Research Articles

Environmental impacts from traffic on highway construction work zones: Framework and simulations

Emissions from internal combustion engine vehicles on highways are the major contributors to global warming in the United States. Transportation sector pavement-related emissions come from gasolines and diesel use in vehicles from pavement-vehicle interaction, which is affected by pavement conditions, and by the trucking of new pavement materials and demolition. The objective of this study was to develop a framework for determining the fuel use resulting in environmental impacts caused by construction work zones (CWZs) on a range of vehicles and to produce initial calculations of these impacts by modeling traffic closure conditions for highway maintenance and rehabilitation activities. The study included two common highway categories—freeways/multi-lane highways and two-lane highways. The framework was demonstrated using three CWZ operations under different traffic congestion levels. In the simulation results for a freeway with a CWZ and heavy congestion, fuel consumption increased by 85% and the carbon-dioxide equivalent emissions increased by 86%. Changing CWZ traffic congestion from heavy (average speed 5 mph) to medium (average speed 25 mph for a freeway section) reduced fuel consumption by 40% on a freeway. This study also included use of a pilot car in a CWZ on a two-lane road typical of lower traffic volume state highways and county roads to compare with the drive cycles in MOVES used for the scenarios. The pilot-car operation scenario results indicate that a one-lane closure with pilot-car operation on a two-lane road might consume 13% excess fuel because of idling time and the slow movement of vehicles following the pilot car.

Vibrotactile Alerting to Prevent Accidents in Highway Construction Work Zones: An Exploratory Study.

Struck-by accidents are the leading cause of injuries in highway construction work zones. Despite numerous safety interventions, injury rates remain high. As workers' exposure to traffic is sometimes unavoidable, providing warnings can be an effective way to prevent imminent threats. Such warnings should consider work zone conditions that can hinder the timely perception of alerts, e.g., poor visibility and high noise level. This study proposes a vibrotactile system integrated into workers' conventional personal protective equipment (PPE), i.e., safety vests. Three experiments were conducted to assess the feasibility of using vibrotactile signals to warn workers in highway environments, the perception and performance of vibrotactile signals at different body locations, and the usability of various warning strategies. The results revealed vibrotactile signals had a 43.6% faster reaction time than audio signals, and the perceived intensity and urgency levels on the sternum, shoulders, and upper back were significantly higher than the waist. Among different notification strategies used, providing a moving direction imposed significantly lower mental workloads and higher usability scores than providing a hazard direction. Further research should be conducted to reveal factors that affect alerting strategy preference towards a customizable system to elicit higher usability among users.

Probabilistic speed–flow models in highway construction work zones

Since variations in exogenous factors could cause unpredictable fluctuations/variability of the speed–flow relationship, the aim of this study was to develop probabilistic speed–flow relationships in a work zone (i.e. a segment of road in which maintenance or construction operations affect the operational characteristics of traffic flow). With observed traffic data from six highway work zones in Shanghai, China, lognormally distributed speed–flow functions were established to formulise probabilistic speed–flow relationships under uncongested and congested traffic conditions. A work zone capacity distribution model was then derived based on these probabilistic speed–flow relationships. The modelling results showed that work zone length, percentage of heavy vehicles and road roughness had strong effects on the probabilistic speed–flow relationships in work zones. A smaller mean work zone capacity was strongly associated with a long work zone length, a large proportion of heavy vehicles and poor road conditions. The models developed in this study could help traffic engineers evaluate the variability of work zone traffic states and the reliability of traffic management strategies.

Improving construction work zone safety using technology: A systematic review of applicable technologies

Abstract Once considered conventional, the construction industry is gradually increasing its reliance on innovations such as the application of technologies in safety management. Given the growing literature on technology applications in safety management and the varying opinions on the utility of applied technologies, a systematic review that streamlines findings from past studies is indispensable to construction stakeholders. Although a number of review studies are available in the building construction sector, the level of fragmentation and uniqueness within the construction industry necessitates a review study specifically targeting the heavy civil sector. In response, the present study applies a three-step approach to identify and review articles pertinent to the safety of highway construction work zones. The factors considered include the number of publications per year, publication locations, and technology types. In addition, the present study proposes to broadly group work zone safety technologies (WZSTs) into three categories based on their primary purpose: speed reduction systems, intrusion prevention and warning systems, and human-machine-interaction detection systems. Key findings include WZST research trends, application of smart work zone systems, and the potential relationship between WZSTs and fatalities. The paper ends with the identification of six additional research areas aimed at deepening the understanding of technology's role in highway safety management. The trend analysis and an in-depth discussion of each technology category alongside the identified research gaps will provide a substantial informative body of knowledge that both benefits current practitioners and directs researchers towards potential future studies.

Active Work Zone Safety: Preventing Accidents Using Intrusion Sensing Technologies

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.

Evaluating Real-Time air monitoring system of PM10 emission from highway construction work zones

Evaluating Real-Time air monitoring system of PM10 emission from highway construction work zones

Multicontextual Machine-Learning Approach to Modeling Traffic Impact of Urban Highway Work Zones

Impact assessments of highway construction work zones (CWZs) are mandated for all federally funded highway infrastructure improvement projects. However, most existing approaches are ad hoc or project specific, so they are incapable of being benchmarked for any particular spatial region. A novel multicontextual approach to modeling the traffic impact of urban highway CWZs is proposed and tested in this paper. The proposed approach is unique because it models the impact of CWZ operations through a multicontextual quantitative method using big data for improved accuracy. In this study, a machine-learning technique was adopted to predict long-term traffic flow rates and the corresponding truck percentages. With the use of these predicted values, stereotypical patterns of traffic volume-to-capacity ratios were created for typical urban nighttime closures. Third-order curve-fitting models to achieve potential work zone travel time delays in heavily trafficked large urban cores were then developed and validated. This study will greatly help state and local governments and the general traveling public in major cities know the potential traffic flow resulting from construction and thereby facilitate progress on highway improvement projects with the better-informed work zone traffic flow and thus improve safety and mobility in and between CWZs.

Study on the Applicability of Grading Speed Limit Programs in the Highway Construction Operation Zone

The grading speed limit programs were simulated under different traffic conditions by using traffic simulation software VISSIM, the applicability of grading speed limit programs in the highway construction work zone were studied, the value of each applicability assessment indicators was drawn, and the values were evaluated and compared comprehensively by a weighted addition ratings method. The results indicate that the degree of the applicability of each grading speed limit programs is different, and they have different impact on safety and traffic efficiency of highway construction work zone.

Directional Sound for Long-Distance Auditory Warnings From a Highway Construction Work Zone

Directional sound can be used to provide warnings to specific vehicles without disturbing other vehicles on the highway. An example of such an application is the need to alert a vehicle that is likely to intrude into a highway construction work zone. Long-distance auditory warnings potentially reduce the time for the driver to visually locate the work zone. This paper reviews the currently available technologies that can potentially be used to develop a long-distance auditory warning system for highway work-zone applications. Of these, ultrasound-based parameter arrays and time-delay-controlled arrays of compact ordinary speakers are taken up for detailed analysis and experimental evaluation. An ultrasound-based parametric array is found to be effective at generating highly directional sound. However, when issues of cost, installation, maintenance, and price are considered, the more suitable technology for work zones is found to be arrays of flat-panel loudspeakers with time delay control. Such a system is inexpensive and can be used to effectively generate directional sound for long-distance auditory warnings. This paper shows that an annular pattern of flat-panel speakers can provide directional sound along a highway lane, with no real-time control of time delay necessary. Hence, an extremely inexpensive and portable system can be obtained, with components consisting of compact flat-panel speakers, a battery, power supply, and inexpensive electronics. In terms of performance, the developed system can provide a difference in the sound level of 6 dB or higher between adjacent lanes at all frequencies in the range of 2-4 kHz at distances of up to 40 m from the location of the warning system.

Forensic Engineering - Highway Construction Work Zone Accidents

This Paper Will Discuss Highway Construction Work Zone Accidents, And How Not Adhering To Generally Accepted Engineering Principles And Practices In The Field Contributes To Their Occurrence. Highway Construction Work Zone Accidents Have Increased Over The Years Due To Higher Speeds On Our Highways And The Lack Of Adequate Advance Warning Signs Before The Start Of The Construction Zone. Higher Speeds Require Increased Distances In The Placement Of Advance Warning Signs To Inform Motorists That They Are Entering A Construction Work Zone Area. Problems Occur Where Lanes Merge And Vehicles Have To Move Into An Adjacent Lane. This Causes Traffic To Suddenly Slow Down, Or Even Stop, Thereby Causing Traffic To Back Up Even Before The Advance Warning Signs. This Situation Can Lead To Rear End Collisions.

Dynamic Late Lane Merge System at Freeway Construction Work Zones

In normal work zones with lane closures, drivers do not merge at any one definite point, a situation thus often causing a sudden interruption in traffic flow and sometimes higher delay and longer queue. The Dynamic Late Lane Merge System (DLLMS) is used to specify a definite merge point, improve the flow of congested work zones, and reduce queue lengths in travel lanes. The DLLMS was implemented in Michigan on three freeway segments that were reduced from two lanes to one lane because of highway construction work zones. The DLLMS directed traffic to use both lanes (open and closed lanes) until the designated “merge point” (close to the taper) where traffic from each lane was instructed to take turns merging into the open lane. On the basis of travel time characteristics, merge locations, and throughput, the effectiveness of the DLLMS was evaluated as a part of this study. The before period data were not available; therefore, a conventional work zone merge system, located on eastbound I-94, was used as a control site for the westbound I-94 test site. Comparison of the I-94 control and test sites indicated that the presence of the DLLMS improved the flow of travel and increased the percentage of vehicles that merged at or near the designated taper location. Based on the expected travel time savings, at a $5/h value of time, the benefit-cost ratio will be greater than 1, indicating that the monetary benefits of the DLLMS outweigh the cost of the system.

Fatal accidents in nighttime vs. daytime highway construction work zones

Introduction Awareness about worker safety in nighttime construction has been a major concern because it is believed that nighttime construction creates hazardous work conditions. However, only a few studies provide valuable comparative information about accident characteristics of nighttime and daytime highway construction activities. Method This study investigates fatal accidents that occurred in Illinois highway work zones in the period 1996–2001 in order to determine the safety differences between nighttime and daytime highway construction. The lighting and weather conditions were included into the study as control parameters to see their effects on the frequency of fatal accidents occurring in work zones. Results According to this study, there is evidence that nighttime construction is more hazardous than daytime construction. The inclusion of a weather parameter into the analysis has limited effect on this finding. Impact on Industry The study justifies establishing an efficient work zone accident reporting system and taking all necessary measures to enhance safety in nighttime work zones.

Women in the U.S. construction industry: An analysis of fatal occupational injury experience, 1980 to 1992

Analysis of 139 deaths to U.S. female construction workers identified from a death certificate-based surveillance system during 1980-1992 showed that female workers in transportation and material moving had 59 and 85% higher mortality rates than male construction workers in the same occupation from motor vehicles (the leading cause of occupational injury death for women, 43.2%) and machinery (the second leading cause of occupational injury death for women, 15.8%), respectively. Female handlers, equipment cleaners, helpers, and laborers had 73% higher mortality rates than their male counterparts from motor vehicles. Two-thirds of women in construction killed by motor vehicles were pedestrians, compared with an average of 19.2% of women in all industries. Half the female pedestrian decedents in construction were flaggers, compared with 3.4% of construction men killed by motor vehicles. Construction women had higher cause-specific years of potential life lost (to age 65 years) than construction men from motor vehicles (33 vs. 24.8), machinery (29 vs. 24.8), homicide (26.1 vs. 24.6), and falls (31.9 vs, 24.7). Over half (53.2%) the female fatalities occurred before age 35 years, compared with 46% for males. The average fatality rate of 1.80 per 100,000 workers for female construction workers was higher than the rate for women in any other industry. The average rate per 100,000 workers for all industries was 0.77. Further studies are required to explore factors contributing to differences in leading causes of death between female and male construction workers. Development and evaluation of prevention measures, such as effective traffic control in highway construction work zones, fall protection training, and machinery-operation training, could reduce the risks for fatal occupational injuries for construction workers, regardless of gender.