00475938

Component

http://onlinepubs.trb.org...trr/1987/1148/1148-005.pdf

https://scholar.google.co...vine&publication_year=1987

Portable traffic signal systems are now being marketed by several manufacturers. These systems have the potential for replacing flaggers in many work zones that require alternating one-way traffic control. However, because these systems are relatively new, information is needed about their effect on traffic operations and safety at work-zone locations. The Texas Transportation Institute recently conducted studies of a fixed-time portable signal system at three work-zone lane closures on two-lane, two-way highways. At each site, data were collected on traffic volumes, driver noncompliance with the signals, and vehicle stopped delay. The studies showed that a substantial savings in flagger labor costs could be achieved by using a portable fixed-time signal system with only a minimal increase in motorist delay costs. Conservative estimates of the savings at the study sites ranged from $9 to $14 per hour. The studies also suggested that the potential for vehicle accidents within the work zone may be higher with portable traffic signals because of occasional driver noncompliance with these signals. The trade-off between this possible increase in vehicular accidents and the reduction in flagger accidents could not be estimated from this research.

Publication of this paper sponsored by Committee on Traffic Safety in Maintenance and Construction Operations. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved

01416408

pp 30-33

1987

Transportation Research Record

0309046572

Print

Figures (1) ; References (2) ; Tables (3)

Alternatives analysis; Compliance; Crashes; Data collection; Drivers; Estimates; Labor costs; Savings; Stopped time delays; Traffic signals; Traffic volume; Work zone traffic control

Portable traffic signals

Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors; I73: Traffic Control

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Sep 30 1988 12:00AM

• COMPUTER MODEL FOR EVALUATING AND SCHEDULING FREEWAY WORK-ZONE LANE CLOSURES
• HAZARDOUS MATERIALS TRANSPORTATION INCIDENT-ACCIDENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS
• HAZARDOUS WASTES WITHIN THE TRANSPORTATION PLANNING CONTEXT
• INTERACTIVE SELECTION OF MINIMUM-RISK ROUTES FOR DANGEROUS GOODS SHIPMENTS
• MEASURES OF SNOWPLOWABLE RAISED PAVEMENT MARKER REFLECTOR WEAR
• OPTIMIZATION OF EQUIPMENT USE IN ROUTINE HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE
• SUPPLEMENTAL DEVICES TO ENHANCE FLAGGER SAFETY
• TRAFFIC CONTROL MANAGEMENT THROUGH CONSTRUCTION ZONES
• TRAFFIC PAINT PERFORMANCE IN ACCELERATED-WEAR TESTS