01501288

Component

https://doi.org/10.3141/2337-02

http://scholar.google.com...zani&publication_year=2013

Rear-end collisions are among the most dominant crash types in work zones. Three factors may increase the potential of rear-end collisions in work zones: following too closely, speeding, and faster trailing. This study explores the effectiveness of flaggers in reducing the frequency of these three factors. Eleven data sets were collected from five single-lane work zones with no lane change opportunity. Time gap and speed data for around 4,600 in-platoon vehicles were used. Statistical analyses were based on the frequency of the three factors. According to the results, during flagger presence and a 45 mph speed limit, the probability that a vehicle in platoon would follow too closely was reduced by 60% to 69% compared with a 45 mph or 55 mph speed limit and no flagger. The probability that a vehicle would speed by at least 5 mph at short time gaps was reduced by 28% to 72% during flagger presence and a 45 mph speed limit compared with a 55 mph speed limit and no flagger and by 85% to 95% during flagger presence and a 45 mph speed limit compared with a 45 mph speed limit and no flagger. Work zones with a 45 mph speed limit and no flagger were also found to be more hazardous for speeding at short time gaps than work zones with a 55 mph speed limit and no flagger. Only two of the vehicles were found to faster trail at short time gaps. Because of the low frequency, no statistical analysis was conducted for faster-trailing vehicles.

01501139

13-1794

English

pp 9-16

2013

Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board

9780309286930

Print

Figures; References; Tables

Car following; Flaggers; Rear end crashes; Speed limits; Speeding; Traffic platooning; Work zone safety; Work zone traffic control; Work zones

Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors; I60: Maintenance; I73: Traffic Control; I81: Accident Statistics

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Dec 16 2013 7:57AM

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